U.S. patent application number 14/565296 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-11 for dehumidifier.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Jiwon CHANG, Jongchul HA, Hyunjong KIM, Yeol LEE.
Application Number | 20150159920 14/565296 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53270779 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150159920 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HA; Jongchul ; et
al. |
June 11, 2015 |
DEHUMIDIFIER
Abstract
A dehumidifier is provided. The dehumidifier includes a main
body having a suction part into which air is suctioned, the main
body having a discharge part through which the air is discharged, a
compressor disposed in the main body to compress a refrigerant, a
second heat-exchange part receiving the compressed refrigerant from
the compressor, and first and third heat-exchange parts disposed in
the main body to receive the refrigerant condensed by the second
heat-exchange part. The air suctioned through the suction part
successively passes through the first, second, and third
heat-exchange parts.
Inventors: |
HA; Jongchul; (Seoul,
KR) ; CHANG; Jiwon; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE;
Yeol; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM; Hyunjong; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Electronics Inc. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
53270779 |
Appl. No.: |
14/565296 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/199 ;
62/426 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 49/02 20130101;
F24F 2003/144 20130101; F25B 2600/2513 20130101; F24F 3/153
20130101; F25B 5/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25B 5/04 20060101
F25B005/04; F24F 3/14 20060101 F24F003/14; F25B 49/02 20060101
F25B049/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 10, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0153032 |
Claims
1. A dehumidifier comprising: a main body having an inlet part
through which air enters the main body, and a discharge part
through which air is discharged out of the main body; a compressor
located in the main body to compress a refrigerant; a second
heat-exchange part located in the main body and configured to
receive compressed refrigerant from the compressor; and a first
heat-exchange part and a third heat-exchange part located in the
main body and configured to receive refrigerant condensed by the
second heat-exchange part, wherein air entering the main body
through the inlet part successively passes in order through the
first heat-exchange part, the second heat-exchange part, and the
third heat-exchange part.
2. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein the first
heat-exchange part is connected to the third heat-exchange part in
parallel.
3. The dehumidifier according to claim 2, further comprising: a
first expansion device to expand refrigerant to be supplied into
the first heat-exchange part; and a second expansion device to
expand refrigerant to be supplied into the third heat-exchange
part.
4. The dehumidifier according to claim 3, further comprising a
valve to control a flow of refrigerant condensed in the second
heat-exchange part, wherein the valve is configured to selectively
direct refrigerant discharged from the second heat-exchange part
into both the first and second heat-exchange parts at the same
time, or into only the first heat-exchange part.
5. The dehumidifier according to claim 3, wherein each of the first
and second expansion devices is configured to control an opening
degree thereof to selectively direct refrigerant condensed in the
second heat-exchange part into both the first and third
heat-exchange parts at the same time, or into only the first
heat-exchange part.
6. The dehumidifier according to claim 3, wherein the first and
second expansion devices are configured to be controlled
independently in opening degree so that an evaporation temperature
of the first heat-exchange part is different from an evaporation
temperature of the third heat-exchange part.
7. The dehumidifier according to claim 6, wherein the second
expansion device has an opening degree less than an opening degree
of the first expansion device.
8. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein at least one
portion of the third heat-exchange part vertically overlaps the
second heat-exchange part.
9. The dehumidifier according to claim 8, wherein the at least one
portion of the third heat-exchange part is located above a top side
of the second heat-exchange part.
10. The dehumidifier according to claim 9, wherein the at least one
portion of the third heat-exchange part is located directly beside
the first heat-exchange part.
11. A dehumidifier comprising: an inlet part into which air is
introduced; a plurality of heat-exchange parts through which air
introduced through the inlet part passes; and a discharge part
through which air passing through the plurality of heat-exchange
parts is discharged, wherein the plurality of heat-exchange parts
comprise: a first heat-exchange part acting as an evaporator; a
second heat-exchange part acting as a condenser; and a third
heat-exchange part acting as an evaporator, wherein the second
heat-exchange part is disposed between the first heat-exchange part
and the third heat-exchange part.
12. The dehumidifier according to claim 11, wherein refrigerant
discharged from the second heat-exchange part is divided to flow
into the first heat-exchange part and the third heat-exchange
part.
13. The dehumidifier according to claim 12, further comprising: a
first expansion device to expand refrigerant flowing into the first
heat-exchange part; and a second expansion device to expand
refrigerant flowing into the third heat-exchange part.
14. The dehumidifier according to claim 13, wherein the third
heat-exchange part is disposed at a downstream side of the first
heat-exchange part.
15. The dehumidifier according to claim 14, wherein the first and
second expansion devices are configured to be controlled
independently in opening degree so that an evaporation temperature
of the first heat-exchange part is different from an evaporation
temperature of the third heat-exchange part.
16. The dehumidifier according to claim 15, wherein the second
expansion device has an opening degree less than an opening degree
of the first expansion device.
17. The dehumidifier according to claim 11, further comprising a
compressor to compress a refrigerant for delivery to the second
heat-exchange part.
18. The dehumidifier according to claim 11, further comprising a
fan configured to produce a flow of air that successively passes in
order through the inlet part, the first heat-exchange part, the
second heat-exchange part, the third heat-exchange part, and the
discharge part.
19. The dehumidifier according to claim 11, wherein at least one
portion of the third heat-exchange part vertically overlaps the
second heat-exchange part.
20. The dehumidifier according to claim 19, wherein the at least
one portion of the third heat-exchange part is located directly
beside the first heat-exchange part and above a top side of the
second heat-exchange part.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119
to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0153032, filed on Dec. 10,
2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a dehumidifier.
[0003] In general, a dehumidifier is a device in which humid air in
an indoor space is suctioned into the dehumidifier to reduce
humidity thereof while passing through a heat exchanger constituted
by a condenser and evaporator through which a refrigerant flows,
and then the dehumidified air is discharged again to the indoor
space, thereby decreasing humidity in the indoor space.
[0004] One such dehumidifier is disclosed in Korean Patent
Publication No. 2008-0076658.
[0005] According to the dehumidifier, air suctioned through a
suction part is dehumidified by an evaporator and then heated while
passing again through a condenser. Then, the heated air having low
relative humidity is supplied into the indoor space through a
discharge part.
[0006] However, according to the dehumidifier disclosed in the
above-mentioned document, since the dehumidified air is discharged
after passing through the condenser, the dehumidified air is heated
while passing through the condenser, and thus the heated air is
discharged, which may cause emotional dissatisfaction of a
user.
SUMMARY
[0007] Embodiments provide a dehumidifier in which dehumidified air
is discharged in a cooled state to minimize emotional
dissatisfaction of a user.
[0008] In one embodiment, a dehumidifier includes: a main body
having a suction part into which air is suctioned and a discharge
part through which the air is discharged; a compressor disposed in
the main body to compress a refrigerant; a second heat-exchange
part that receives the compressed refrigerant from the compressor;
and first and third heat-exchange parts disposed in the main body
to receive the refrigerant condensed by the second heat-exchange
part, wherein the air suctioned through the suction part
successively passes through the first, second, and third
heat-exchange parts.
[0009] In another embodiment, a dehumidifier including: a suction
part into which air is suctioned; a plurality of heat-exchange
parts through which the air suctioned through the suction part
passes; and a discharge part through which the air passing through
the plurality of heat-exchange parts is discharged, wherein the
plurality of heat-exchange parts include: a second heat-exchange
part acting as a condenser; and first and third heat-exchange parts
each of which acts as an evaporator, wherein the second
heat-exchange part is disposed between the first heat-exchange part
and the third heat-exchange part.
[0010] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features
will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is schematic view of an inner configuration of a
dehumidifier according to a first embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a view of the dehumidifier according to the first
embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when
the dehumidifier is operated according to the first embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 4 is schematic view of an inner configuration of a
dehumidifier according to a second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
[0016] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration
specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it
is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes
may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in
the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain
information known to those skilled in the art. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense.
[0017] Also, in the description of embodiments, terms such as
first, second, A, B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when
describing components of the present invention. Each of these
terminologies is not used to define an essence, order or sequence
of a corresponding component but used merely to distinguish the
corresponding component from other component(s). It should be noted
that if it is described in the specification that one component is
"connected," "coupled" or "joined" to another component, the former
may be directly "connected," "coupled," and "joined" to the latter
or "connected", "coupled", and "joined" to the latter via another
component.
[0018] FIG. 1 is schematic view of an inner configuration of a
dehumidifier according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a view
of the dehumidifier according to the first embodiment.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dehumidifier 1 according to a
first embodiment may include a main body 10 defining an outer
appearance thereof.
[0020] The main body 10 may include a suction part 102 as an inlet
for suctioning air, a discharge part 104 for discharging the air,
and a fan 60 for allowing the air to flow.
[0021] Also, the main body 10 may further include a compressor 11
for compressing a refrigerant, a heat exchanger 20 for exchanging
heat between the refrigerant flowing therethrough and the air, and
an expansion device 30 for expanding the refrigerant.
[0022] In the present disclosure, the heat exchanger 20 includes a
plurality of heat-exchange parts. Here, a portion of the
heat-exchange parts may act as a condenser, and the other portion
of the heat-exchange parts may act as an evaporator.
[0023] The plurality of heat-exchange parts constituting the heat
exchanger 20 may include a first heat-exchange part 21, a second
heat-exchange part 22, and a third heat-exchange part 23. In the
current embodiment, the plurality of heat-exchange parts 21, 22,
and 23 are integrally formed to constitute one heat exchanger 20.
Here, the plurality of heat-exchange parts 21, 22, and 23 may be
distinguished from each other according to a flow of the
refrigerant.
[0024] Alternatively, the plurality of heat-exchange parts 21, 22,
and 23 may be provided as separated modules and then be coupled to
each other to constitute one heat exchanger 20. Alternatively, the
plurality of heat-exchange parts 21, 22, and 23 may be provided as
separated modules and then independently disposed in the main body
10. In this case, it may be understood that the main body 10
substantially includes three heat exchangers. Also, the plurality
of heat-exchange parts 21, 22 and 23 may be in contact with each
other or spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other.
[0025] The second heat-exchange part 22 may be disposed between the
first heat-exchange part 21 and the third heat-exchange part 23.
The second heat-exchange part 22 is disposed at a downstream side
of the first heat-exchange part 21 with respect to a flow of the
air. Also, the third heat-exchange part 23 is disposed at a
downstream side of the second heat-exchange part 22. Also, the
discharge part 104 is defined at a downstream side of the third
heat-exchange part 23. That is, since the first to third
heat-exchange parts 21, 22, and 23 are disposed in series with
respect to a flow direction of the air, the air successively flows
through the first, second, and third heat-exchange parts 21, 22,
and 23 and then is discharged outside the main body 10 through the
discharge part 104.
[0026] For example, although the fan 60 is disposed at an upstream
side of the first heat-exchange part 21 in FIG. 2, the present
disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the fan may be
disposed at the downstream side of the third heat-exchange part
23.
[0027] The compressor 11 may be connected to the second
heat-exchange part 22 by a first tube 41. The second heat-exchange
part 22 may be connected to a second tube 43. A valve 50 for
controlling a flow direction of the refrigerant may be disposed in
the second tube 43. Although the valve 50 may be a three-way valve,
the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0028] A first connection tube 45 and a second connection tube 46
are connected to the valve 50. The first connection tube is
connected to the first heat-exchange part 21, and the second
connection tube 46 is connected to the third heat-exchange part 23.
Thus, the refrigerant may flow into one of the first heat-exchange
part 21 and the third heat-exchange part 23 or may flow into each
of the first heat-exchange part 21 and the third heat-exchange part
23 by the valve 50.
[0029] A first expansion device 31 is disposed in the first
connection tube 45, and a second expansion device 32 is disposed in
the second connection tube 45. Each of the expansion devices and 32
may be an electronic expansion valve (EEV) through which a flow
rate and expansion degree of the refrigerant is controllable.
[0030] Alternatively, the first and second connection tubes 45 and
46 are branched from the second tube 43, and a valve may be
disposed in each of the first and second connection tubes 45 and
46.
[0031] The discharge tubes of the first heat-exchange part 21 and
the third heat-exchange part 23 may be combined with each other and
then connected to the compressor 11.
[0032] Also, the main body 10 may further include a water tank 70
for storing condensate water. The water tank 70 may be separably
coupled to the main body 10. The condensate water stored in the
water tank 70 may be drained in a state where the water tank 70 is
separated from the main body 10.
[0033] Hereinafter, an operation of the dehumidifier according to
the current embodiment will be described.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a flow of a refrigerant when
the dehumidifier is operated according to the first embodiment.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, when the dehumidifier 1 operates, the
refrigerant compressed in the compressor 11 is introduced into the
second heat-exchange part 22. The refrigerant introduced into the
second heat-exchange part 22 is condensed while flowing in the
heat-exchange part 22. Thus, the second heat-exchange part 22 acts
as a condenser. The refrigerant discharged from the second
heat-exchange part 22 may flow along the second tube 43 and divided
into the first and second connection tubes 45 and 46 by the valve
50.
[0036] Also, the refrigerant flowing through the each of the
connection tubes 45 and 46 is expanded by the each of the expansion
devices 31 and 32. Also, the refrigerant expanded by the each of
the expansion devices 31 and 32 may be introduced into the
compressor 11 after being evaporated while flowing in the first and
third heat-exchange parts 21 and 23. Thus, the first and third
heat-exchange parts 21 and 23 act as an evaporator in the cooling
mode.
[0037] Here, the expansion devices 31 and 32 may have opening
degrees different from each other so that an evaporation
temperature of the first heat-exchange part 21 is different from
that of the third heat-exchange part 23. Here, each of the first
and third heat-exchange parts 21 and 23 may act as an
evaporator.
[0038] In detail, each of the expansion devices 31 and 32 may be
adjusted in opening degree so that the evaporation temperature of
the first heat-exchange part 21 is less than that of the third
heat-exchange part 23. That is, the second expansion device 32 has
an opening degree less than that of the first expansion device 31.
Thus, the refrigerant expanded by the second expansion device 32
has a temperature less than that of the refrigerant expanded by the
first expansion device 31, and also the refrigerant flowing into
the third heat-exchange part 23 has a flow rate less than that of
the refrigerant flowing into the first heat-exchange part 21. Thus,
the evaporation temperature of the third heat-exchange part 23 is
less than that of the first heat-exchange part 21.
[0039] Therefore, the air blown by the fan 60 is dehumidified while
passing through the first heat-exchange part 21, and then is heated
while passing through the second heat-exchange part 22. Then, the
heated air is cooled while the passing through the third
heat-exchange part 23. Thus, since the dehumidified air is cooled
and discharged from the main body 10 through the discharge part
104, the user may feel less unpleasant to minimize emotional
dissatisfaction.
[0040] Here, the evaporation temperature of the third heat-exchange
part may be below zero. In this case, energy efficiency may be
improved through ice storage effects, and also cooling effects may
be obtained.
[0041] In this specification, since it is desired by the user to
discharge high-temperature air from the dehumidifier as necessary,
the user may select a temperature of the air discharged from the
dehumidifier. That is, an operation mode of the dehumidifier
includes a first mode in which air cooled by the third
heat-exchange part is discharged and a second mode in which air
that is not cooled by the third heat-exchange part is discharged.
The first or second mode may be selected by the user. Here, when
the second mode is selected, the valve may be controlled to allow
the refrigerant to flow only into the first connection tube.
[0042] FIG. 4 is schematic view of an inner configuration of a
dehumidifier according to a second embodiment.
[0043] The current embodiment is the same as the first embodiment
except for the heat exchanger. Thus, only specific portions of the
current embodiment will be described below.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, a heat exchanger according to a second
embodiment may include first, second, and third heat-exchange parts
21, 22, and 23.
[0045] In the current embodiment, the first to third heat-exchange
parts 21, 22, and 23 may have the same function as those of the
first embodiment, except for positions thereof.
[0046] In detail, the second and third heat-exchange parts 22 and
23 may be disposed at a downstream side of the first heat-exchange
part 21. At least one portion of the third heat-exchange part 23
may be disposed above the second heat-exchange part 22.
[0047] Here, the at least one portion of the third heat-exchange
part 23 may vertically overlap the second heat-exchange part 22 in
FIG. 4.
[0048] Also, at least one other portion of the third heat-exchange
part 23 may be disposed at a downstream side of the second
heat-exchange part 22. That is, the at least one other portion of
the third heat-exchange part 23 may horizontally overlap the second
heat-exchange part 22 in FIG. 4.
[0049] Thus, according to the current embodiment, the condensate
water generated in the third heat-exchange part while the third
heat-exchange part 23 acts as an evaporator flows down into the
second heat-exchange part 22, and thus the second heat-exchange
part 22 acting as the condenser may be improved in condensation
performance.
[0050] Although the valve controls the flow of the refrigerant in
the above embodiments, the valve may be omitted. In this case, the
first and second expansion device may control the flow rate of the
refrigerant. That is, in the first mode, each of the expansion
devices may be controlled to have an opening degree of 0.degree. or
more, although it should be understood that both expansion devices
would not have an opening degree of during normal operation of the
dehumidifier. In the second mode, the second expansion device may
be controlled to have an opening degree of 0.degree..
[0051] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *