U.S. patent application number 15/523051 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-23 for method and device for controlling drainage of dehumidifier, and dehumidifier.
This patent application is currently assigned to GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC. OF ZHUHAI. The applicant listed for this patent is GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC. OF ZHUHAI. Invention is credited to ZHICHAO HE, SHUFENG HU, XIAOQING HUANG, YAOXIANG LIANG, YANZAN LUO, GANG YAO, XINXIANG YAO.
Application Number | 20170336093 15/523051 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52157876 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170336093 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HUANG; XIAOQING ; et
al. |
November 23, 2017 |
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING DRAINAGE OF DEHUMIDIFIER, AND
DEHUMIDIFIER
Abstract
A method for controlling drainage of a dehumidifier includes the
following steps. When a compressor of a dehumidifier is powered on,
it is detected whether the compressor operates or not. When it is
detected that the compressor stops operating, a power device of the
dehumidifier is controlled to start draining water off after a
first preset period. Operation period of the power device is
detected. It is judged whether the operation period reaches a
second preset period or not. When it is determined that the
operation period reaches the second preset period, the power device
is controlled to stop operating. A dehumidifier and a drainage
control device thereof are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
HUANG; XIAOQING; (ZHUHAI
CITY, GUANGDONG, CN) ; YAO; XINXIANG; (ZHUHAI CITY,
GUANGDONG, CN) ; YAO; GANG; (ZHUHAI CITY, GUANGDONG,
CN) ; LIANG; YAOXIANG; (ZHUHAI CITY, GUANGDONG,
CN) ; HU; SHUFENG; (ZHUHAI CITY, GUANGDONG, CN)
; HE; ZHICHAO; (ZHUHAI CITY, GUANGDONG, CN) ; LUO;
YANZAN; (ZHUHAI CITY, GUANGDONG, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC. OF ZHUHAI |
ZHUHAI CITY, GUANGDONG |
|
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC. OF
ZHUHAI
ZHUHAI CITY, GUANGDONG
CN
|
Family ID: |
52157876 |
Appl. No.: |
15/523051 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
April 14, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2015/076578 |
371 Date: |
April 28, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/30 20180101;
F24F 3/14 20130101; F24F 11/89 20180101; F24F 2003/1446 20130101;
F24F 13/222 20130101; F24F 13/22 20130101; F24F 11/61 20180101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/08 20060101
F24F011/08; F24F 13/22 20060101 F24F013/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 28, 2014 |
CN |
201410592534.8 |
Claims
1. A method for controlling drainage of a dehumidifier, comprising:
detecting, when a compressor of the dehumidifier is powered on,
whether the compressor operates or not; controlling, when it is
detected that the compressor stops operating, a power device of the
dehumidifier to start draining water off after a first preset
period; detecting an operation period of the power device; judging
whether the operation period reaches a second preset period or not;
and controlling, when it is determined that the operation period
reaches the second preset period, the power device to stop
operating.
2. The method for controlling the drainage as claimed in claim 1,
wherein in a process of controlling the power device to operate,
the method for controlling the drainage further comprising:
detecting whether the compressor starts operating or not;
controlling, when it is detected that the compressor starts
operating, the power device to operate in a preset working mode;
and controlling, when it is detected that the compressor does not
start operating, the dehumidifier to enter a state of being powered
off.
3. The method for controlling the drainage as claimed in claim 2,
wherein controlling the power device to operate in the preset
working mode comprises: detecting a stopping period when the power
device stops operating, wherein the stopping period is a period
within which the power device stops operating; judging whether the
stopping period reaches a third preset period or not; controlling,
when it is determined that the stopping period reaches the third
preset period, the power device to start draining water off;
controlling, after the operation period of the power device reaches
a fourth preset period, the power device to stop operating;
recording the number of operating times of the power device under
the preset working mode; judging whether the number of the
operating times reaches a preset value or not; and returning, when
it is determined that the number of the operating times does not
reach the preset value, to execute a step of detecting the stopping
period when the power device stops operating.
4. The method for controlling the drainage as claimed in claim 3,
wherein when it is determined that the number of the operating
times reaches the preset value, the method for controlling the
drainage further comprising: returning to execute a step of
detecting whether the compressor operates or not, and zeroing the
number of the operating times under the preset working mode.
5. The method for controlling the drainage as claimed in claim 3,
wherein the fourth preset period and the second preset period have
a same duration, the preset value is determined in a following
mode: detecting humidity of an environment where the dehumidifier
is located; and determining the preset value according to the
humidity.
6. A device for controlling drainage of a dehumidifier, comprising:
a first detecting element, configured to detect, when a compressor
of the dehumidifier is powered on, whether the compressor operates
or not; a first controlling element, configured to control, when it
is detected that the compressor stops operating, a power device of
the dehumidifier to start draining water off after a first preset
period; a second detecting element, configured to detect an
operation period of the power device; a first judging element,
configured to judge whether the operation period reaches a second
preset period or not; and a second controlling element, configured
to control, when it is determined that the operation period reaches
the second preset period, the power device to stop operating.
7. The device for controlling the drainage as claimed in claim 6,
further comprising: a third detecting element, configured to
detect, in a process of controlling the power device to operate,
whether the compressor starts operating or not; a third controlling
element, configured to control, when it is detected that the
compressor starts operating, the power device to operate in a
preset working mode; and a fourth controlling element, configured
to control, when it is detected that the compressor does not start
operating, the dehumidifier to enter a state of being powered
off.
8. The device for controlling the drainage as claimed in claim 7,
wherein the third controlling element comprises: a detecting
component, configured to detect a stopping period when the power
device stops operating, wherein the stopping period is a period
within which the power device stops operating; a first judging
component, configured to judge whether the stopping period reaches
a third preset period or not; a first controlling component,
configured to control, when it is determined that the stopping
period reaches the third preset period, the power device to start
draining water off; a second controlling component, configured to
control, after the operation period of the power device reaches a
fourth preset period, the power device to stop operating; a
recording component, configured to record the number of operating
times of the power device under the preset working mode; and a
second judging component, configured to judge whether the number of
the operating times reaches a preset value or not, wherein the
detecting component is further configured to detect, when it is
determined that the number of the operating times does not reach
the preset value, the stopping period when the power device stops
operating.
9. The device for controlling the drainage as claimed in claim 8,
wherein the first detecting element is further configured to
detect, when it is determined that the number of the operating
times reaches the preset value, whether the compressor operates or
not, and zero the number of the operating times under the preset
working mode.
10. The device for controlling the drainage as claimed in claim 8,
wherein the fourth preset period and the second preset period have
a same duration, the device for controlling the drainage further
comprising: a third detecting element, configured to detect
humidity of an environment where the dehumidifier is located; and a
determining element, configured to determine the preset value
according to the humidity.
11. A dehumidifier, comprising: a compressor; a power device; a
timer, configured to measure a first preset period and a second
preset period; and a controller, connected to the compressor, the
power device and the timer respectively, and configured to detect,
when the compressor of the dehumidifier is powered on, whether the
compressor operates or not, control, when it is detected that the
compressor stops operating, the power device to start draining
water off after the first preset period, and control the power
device to stop operating after the second preset period.
12. The method for controlling the drainage as claimed in claim 4,
wherein the fourth preset period and the second preset period have
a same duration, the preset value is determined in a following
mode: detecting humidity of an environment where the dehumidifier
is located; and determining the preset value according to the
humidity.
13. The device for controlling the drainage as claimed in claim 9,
wherein the fourth preset period and the second preset period have
a same duration, the device for controlling the drainage further
comprising: a third detecting element, configured to detect
humidity of an environment where the dehumidifier is located; and a
determining element, configured to determine the preset value
according to the humidity.
Description
TECHNICAL
[0001] The disclosure relates to the field of dehumidifiers, more
particularly to a method and device for controlling drainage of a
dehumidifier, and a dehumidifier.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Condensed water produced during normal working of a
dehumidifier is usually collected in a water collecting device. A
drainage mode commonly adopted by the water collecting device
refers to: directly draining water off by means of the water
collecting device or a continuous drainage port. The
above-mentioned drainage mode cannot seriously affect a user during
normal use. However, when the dehumidifier is located at a low
place but water needs to be drained to a high place, the
above-mentioned drainage mode is not applicable. At present, in
view of this, water is usually drained from the low place to the
high place by means of power generated by a power device.
[0003] The working principle of the power device built in the
dehumidifier is that: water obtained by dehumidification is
collected in the water collecting device, when a water level of the
water collecting device reaches a certain height, the power device
is started, and water is drained by means of the power device; and
when the water level descends to a certain height, the power device
stops working. According to this working mode, the water level in
the water collecting device needs to be detected. When detection of
the water level is abnormal, water is unlikely to drain off from
the dehumidifier. In addition, when the detection of the water
level has errors, the detection of the water level is inaccurate,
which may cause incomplete drainage. The above-mentioned situation
is likely to make the dehumidifier faulty.
[0004] An effective solution has not been proposed yet currently
for the problem that water is unlikely to drain off from the
dehumidifier in the related art.
SUMMARY
[0005] The embodiments of the disclosure mainly aim to provide a
method and device for controlling drainage of a dehumidifier, and a
dehumidifier, which are used to solve the problem that water is
unlikely to drain off from a dehumidifier in the related art.
[0006] To this end, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a
method for controlling drainage of a dehumidifier is provided,
comprising: detecting, when a compressor of the dehumidifier is
powered on, whether the compressor operates or not; controlling,
when it is detected that the compressor stops operating, a power
device of the dehumidifier to start draining water off after a
first preset period; detecting an operation period of the power
device; judging whether the operation period reaches a second
preset period or not; and controlling, when it is determined that
the operation period reaches the second preset period, the power
device to stop operating.
[0007] In an example embodiment, in a process of controlling the
power device to operate, the method for controlling the drainage
further comprising: detecting whether the compressor starts
operating or not; controlling, when it is detected that the
compressor starts operating, the power device to operate in a
preset working mode; and controlling, when it is detected that the
compressor does not start operating, the dehumidifier to enter a
state of being powered off.
[0008] In an example embodiment, controlling the power device to
operate in the preset working mode comprises: detecting a stopping
period when the power device stops operating, wherein the stopping
period is a period within which the power device stops operating;
judging whether the stopping period reaches a third preset period
or not; controlling, when it is determined that the stopping period
reaches the third preset period, the power device to start draining
water off; controlling, after the operation period of the power
device reaches a fourth preset period, the power device to stop
operating; recording the number of operating times of the power
device under the preset working mode; judging whether the number of
the operating times reaches a preset value or not; and returning,
when it is determined that the number of the operating times does
not reach the preset value, to execute a step of detecting the
stopping period when the power device stops operating.
[0009] In an example embodiment, when it is determined that the
number of the operating times reaches the preset value, the method
for controlling the drainage further comprising: returning to
execute a step of detecting whether the compressor operates or not,
and zeroing the number of the operating times under the preset
working mode.
[0010] In an example embodiment, the fourth preset period and the
second preset period have a same duration, the preset value is
determined in a following mode: detecting humidity of an
environment where the dehumidifier is located; and determining the
preset value according to the humidity.
[0011] To this end, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a
device for controlling drainage of a dehumidifier is provided,
comprising: a first detecting element, configured to detect, when a
compressor of the dehumidifier is powered on, whether the
compressor operates or not; a first controlling element, configured
to control, when it is detected that the compressor stops
operating, a power device of the dehumidifier to start draining
water off after a first preset period; a second detecting element,
configured to detect an operation period of the power device; a
first judging element, configured to judge whether the operation
period reaches a second preset period or not; and a second
controlling element, configured to control, when it is determined
that the operation period reaches the second preset period, the
power device to stop operating.
[0012] In an example embodiment, the device further comprising: a
third detecting element, configured to detect, in a process of
controlling the power device to operate, whether the compressor
starts operating or not; a third controlling element, configured to
control, when it is detected that the compressor starts operating,
the power device to operate in a preset working mode; and a fourth
controlling element, configured to control, when it is detected
that the compressor does not start operating, the dehumidifier to
enter a state of being powered off.
[0013] In an example embodiment, the third controlling element
comprises: a detecting component, configured to detect a stopping
period when the power device stops operating, wherein the stopping
period is a period within which the power device stops operating; a
first judging component, configured to judge whether the stopping
period reaches a third preset period or not; a first controlling
component, configured to control, when it is determined that the
stopping period reaches the third preset period, the power device
to start draining water off; a second controlling component,
configured to control, after the operation period of the power
device reaches a fourth preset period, the power device to stop
operating; a recording component, configured to record the number
of operating times of the power device under the preset working
mode; and a second judging component, configured to judge whether
the number of the operating times reaches a preset value or not,
wherein the detecting component is further configured to detect,
when it is determined that the number of the operating times does
not reach the preset value, the stopping period when the power
device stops operating.
[0014] In an example embodiment, the first detecting element is
further configured to detect, when it is determined that the number
of the operating times reaches the preset value, whether the
compressor operates or not, and zero the number of the operating
times under the preset working mode.
[0015] In an example embodiment, the fourth preset period and the
second preset period have a same duration, the device for
controlling the drainage further comprising: a third detecting
element, configured to detect humidity of an environment where the
dehumidifier is located; and a determining element, configured to
determine the preset value according to the humidity.
[0016] To this end, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a
dehumidifier is provided, comprising: a compressor; a power device;
a timer, configured to measure a first preset period and a second
preset period; and a controller, connected to the compressor, the
power device and the timer respectively, and configured to detect,
when the compressor of the dehumidifier is powered on, whether the
compressor operates or not, control, when it is detected that the
compressor stops operating, the power device to start draining
water off after the first preset period, and control the power
device to stop operating after the second preset period.
[0017] According to the embodiments of the disclosure, when the
compressor of the dehumidifier is powered on, it is detected
whether the compressor operates or not. When it is detected that
the compressor stops operating, the power device of the
dehumidifier is controlled to start draining water off after the
first preset period. When drainage time of the power device reaches
the second preset period, the power device is controlled to stop
operating, i.e., to stop draining water off. In such a way, by
controlling the starting time and stopping period of the power
device by means of time, the problem that water cannot be drained
from the dehumidifier due to abnormal water level detection is
solved, thereby achieving the effect of controlling the
dehumidifier to drain water off by means of time instead of water
level detection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The drawings, forming a part of the application, are
intended to provide further understanding of the disclosure. The
schematic embodiments and illustrations of the disclosure are
intended to explain the disclosure, and do not form improper limits
to the disclosure. In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for controlling drainage
of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example method for controlling
drainage of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of another example method for
controlling drainage of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment
of the disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a further example method for
controlling drainage of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment
of the disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a device for controlling
drainage of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the
disclosure; and
[0024] FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a dehumidifier according
to an embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0025] It is important to note that the embodiments in the
application and the characteristics in the embodiments may be
combined under the condition of no conflicts. The application will
be described below with reference to the drawings and in
combination with the embodiments in detail.
[0026] In order to make those skilled in the art better understand
the solutions of the disclosure, the technical solutions in the
embodiments of the disclosure are clearly and completely described
below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the
disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of
the embodiments of the disclosure, not all of the embodiments. On
the basis of the embodiments in the disclosure, all other
embodiments obtained on the premise of no creative work of those
skilled in the art fall within the scope of protection of the
disclosure.
[0027] It is important to note that the specification and claims of
the disclosure and terms `first`, `second` and the like in the
above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects,
and do not need to describe a specific sequence or a precedence
order. It will be appreciated that data used in such a way may be
exchanged under appropriate conditions, in order that the
embodiments of the disclosure described herein can be implemented
in a sequence other than sequences graphically shown or described
here. In addition, terms `include` and `have` and any inflexions
thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For
instance, it is not limited for processes, methods, systems,
products or devices containing a series of steps or units to
clearly list those steps or units, and other steps or units which
are not clearly listed or are inherent to these processes, methods,
products or devices may be included instead.
[0028] The embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for
controlling drainage of a dehumidifier. The method may be used for
controlling the dehumidifier to drain water off. The dehumidifier
may include a compressor, a power device, a water collecting
device, a controller, and other components, and may also include a
timing device such as a timer. Drainage control of the dehumidifier
according to the embodiments of the disclosure may be executed by
means of the controller of the dehumidifier.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for controlling drainage
of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As
shown in FIG. 1, the method for controlling the drainage includes
the following steps.
[0030] Step S102: When a compressor of a dehumidifier is powered
on, it is detected whether the compressor operates or not.
[0031] The compressor of the dehumidifier is powered on, i.e., the
compressor is started. Under this state, the compressor may be
standby, i.e., the compressor is energized but does not work, or
the compressor may be in an operation state namely a
dehumidification working state. When the compressor is
de-energized, it may be shown that the dehumidifier does not
execute a dehumidification operation. In this case, water may not
be drained off. When the compressor is energized, it is detected
whether the compressor operates or not. When the compressor
operates, the dehumidifier is collecting, via a water collecting
device, water obtained by treating air by the compressor. When the
compressor stops operating, since the compressor is energized, it
is shown that the compressor may stop operating after
dehumidification reaches a certain extent, and may be standby.
[0032] Step S104: when it is detected that the compressor stops
operating, a power device of the dehumidifier is controlled to
start draining water off after a first preset period.
[0033] when it is detected that the compressor stops operating, the
power device is controlled to start draining water off after the
first preset period. Alternatively, when it is detected that the
compressor stops operating, i.e., the compressor is standby, a
controller controls a timer to start timing. When time measured by
the timer reaches the first preset period, the timer returns a
timing reaching signal to the controller, and after receiving the
signal, the controller controls the power device to start draining
water off. Certainly, the control may also inquire the measured
time of the timer, and when it is inquired that the measured time
reaches the first preset period, the power device is controlled to
start draining water off. Wherein, the first preset period may be
determined according to the model of the dehumidifier and
environment parameters.
[0034] Step S106: An operation period of the power device is
detected.
[0035] After the power device starts draining water off, the
controller detects the operation period of the power device namely
drainage time. The operation period may be started by means of the
timer after the power device starts operating.
[0036] Step S108: It is judged whether the operation period reaches
a second preset period or not.
[0037] Step S110: When it is determined that the operation period
reaches the second preset period, the power device is controlled to
stop operating.
[0038] After the power device is started, it is unnecessary to be
draining water off all the time. Therefore, after the operation
period of the power device is detected, it is judged whether the
operation period reaches the second preset period. When so, the
power device may be controlled to stop operating, thereby
preventing the power device from operating all the time to waste
electric energy. If not, the power device continuously operates.
Wherein, the second preset period may be determined according to
the model of the dehumidifier, and may also be determined according
to parameters such as a drainage amount of the dehumidifier within
unit time and a usual water collecting amount in the water
collecting device. When the operation period of the power device
reaches the second preset period, it is shown that water in the
water collecting device has been drained off or water drainage
reaches a certain amount.
[0039] According to the embodiments of the disclosure, when the
compressor of the dehumidifier is powered on, it is detected
whether the compressor operates or not. when it is detected that
the compressor stops operating, the power device of the
dehumidifier is controlled to start draining water off after the
first preset period. When drainage time of the power device reaches
the second preset period, the power device is controlled to stop
operating, i.e., to stop draining water off. In such a way, by
controlling the starting time and stopping period of the power
device by means of time, the problem that water cannot be drained
from the dehumidifier due to abnormal water level detection is
solved, thereby achieving the effect of controlling the
dehumidifier to drain water off by means of time instead of water
level detection.
[0040] It is important to note that `operate` and `stop operating`
of the compressor in the embodiments of the disclosure occur when
the compressor is energized.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example method for controlling
drainage of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the
disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, after Step S110, the method for
controlling the drainage further includes the following steps.
[0042] Step S212: It is detected whether a compressor starts
operating. When it is detected that the compressor starts
operating, Step S214 is executed. Otherwise, Step S216 is
executed.
[0043] Step S214: A power device is controlled to operate in a
preset working mode.
[0044] Step S216: A dehumidifier is controlled to enter a state of
being powered off.
[0045] Alternatively, after the power device is controlled to
operate for a second preset period, it is detected whether the
compressor starts operating. When the compressor starts operating,
the power device is controlled to operate in a preset working mode,
wherein the preset working mode may be one of the following
modes.
[0046] Mode 1: The power device is controlled to operate once at a
preset time interval when the compressor operates, each operation
lasting for a set operation period. For example, the power device
starts operating at an interval (10 min), operates for 5 min, waits
for 10 min, and then continues operating for 5 min.
[0047] Mode 2: After stopping for a period of time, the power
device starts operating, and keeps operating until the compressor
stops operating.
[0048] When it is detected that the compressor does not start
operating, the dehumidifier is controlled to be powered off. Water
in the water collecting device has been drained off from operation
starting to operation stopping of the power device, at this time,
the compressor still does not start operating, it is shown that the
dehumidifier still does not execute a dehumidification operation,
so the dehumidifier may be controlled to be powered off, thereby
avoiding the problem of energy waste due to the fact that the
dehumidifier continuously operates but does not execute the
dehumidification operation.
[0049] In the embodiments of the disclosure, the step that it is
detected whether the compressor starts operating may be executed in
an operation process of the power device. In an example embodiment,
when it is detected that the compressor does not start operating,
after the power device operates for the second preset period, the
dehumidifier is controlled to be powered off. When it is detected
that the compressor starts operating, after the power device
operates for the second preset period, the power device may be
controlled to operate in a preset working mode.
[0050] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of another example method for
controlling drainage of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment
of the disclosure. Step S102 to Step S212 and Step S216 in the
drainage control method are identical to Step S102 to Step S212 and
Step S216 as shown in FIG. 2 in sequence, which will not be
elaborated. As shown in FIG. 3, the step that the power device is
controlled to operate in a preset working mode includes the
following steps.
[0051] Step S2141: a stopping period at which the power device
stops operating is detected, wherein the stopping period is a
period within which the power device stops operating.
[0052] Step S2142: It is judged whether the stopping period reaches
a third preset period. When it is determined that the stopping
period reaches the third preset period, Step S2143 is executed.
Otherwise, it is continuously judged whether the stopping period
reaches the third preset period.
[0053] Step S2143: The power device is controlled to start draining
water off.
[0054] Step S2144: After the operation period of the power device
reaches a fourth preset period, the power device is controlled to
stop operating. After the power device stops operating, the power
device is re-started after the third preset period, and after the
operation period of the power device reaches the fourth preset
period, the power device is controlled to stop operating, wherein
the third preset period and the fourth preset period may be set
according to the model of the dehumidifier.
[0055] Step S2145: The number of operating times of the power
device under a preset working mode is recorded. The number of the
operating times under the preset working mode is the number of
times of operation starting of the power device under the preset
working mode, the number of the operating times does not include
the number of previous operation starting of the power device under
the preset working mode.
[0056] Step S2146: It is judged whether the number of the operating
times reaches a preset value. When it is determined that the number
of the operating times does not reach a preset value, Step S2141 is
re-executed.
[0057] The number of the operating times of the power device under
the preset working mode is compared with the preset value, it is
judged whether the number of the operating times reaches the preset
value, when the number of the operating times does not reach the
preset value, the stopping period after the power device stops
operating previously is continuously detected, and when the
stopping period reaches the third preset period, the power device
is controlled to start operating and the number of the operating
times is recorded. The operation is repeatedly executed until the
number of the operating times of the power device reaches the
preset value.
[0058] According to the embodiments of the disclosure, after it is
detected that the compressor starts operating, the power device is
controlled to work in the above-mentioned preset working mode. That
is, the power device is controlled to operate once at an interval
namely the third preset period, each operation lasting for the
fourth preset period until the power device operates for the preset
value. Thus, it can be ensured that after the compressor starts
operating, the power device is controlled to operate according to
time, thereby draining water off from the water collecting device,
and achieving the aim of timely drainage.
[0059] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, when it is determined
that the number of the operating times reaches the preset value,
Step S102 is returned to be executed, and the number of the
operating times under the preset working mode is zeroed. The number
of the operating times under the preset working mode is zeroed, in
order that when the power device re-enters the preset working mode,
the count of repeated operation starting is re-recorded.
[0060] Alternatively, the fourth preset period and the second
preset period in the above-mentioned embodiment have a same
duration. That is, lasting time for operation of the power device
at each time is identical. Thus, a control policy of the power
device can be simplified. The preset value of operation of the
power device may be determined in the following modes: detecting
humidity of an environment where the dehumidifier is located; and
determining the preset value according to the humidity.
[0061] Alternatively, the preset value which is set may be stored
on a memory of the dehumidifier according to a corresponding
relation between the humidity of the environment and the preset
value. For example, when the humidity is 90%, the corresponding
preset value is 5. Thus, after the humidity of the environment
where the dehumidifier is located is detected, the corresponding
preset value may be found from the memory according to the
humidity, thereby determining the number of operating times of the
power device to be achieved under the preset working mode.
[0062] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a further example method for
controlling drainage of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment
of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the drainage control method
includes the following steps.
[0063] Step S401: Under a water pump mode, it is detected whether a
compressor stops. The water pump mode may be called as a power
mode. That is, a power device is in an energized operable state.
When so, it is shown that the compressor stops operating, and Step
S402 is executed. Otherwise, it is shown that the compressor
operates, and Step S401 may be continuously executed.
[0064] Step S402: Stopping period at which the power device stops
operating is detected. When the compressor stops for Xmin namely a
first preset period in the embodiments of the disclosure, Step S403
is executed.
[0065] Step S403: The power device operates for T.sub.pump, that
is, the power device operates for a second preset period.
[0066] Step S404: It is detected whether the compressor operates.
if so, Step S405 is executed. Otherwise, the dehumidifier is
controlled to be powered off.
[0067] Step S405: The power device stops operating for T.sub.stop,
that is, the power device stops operating for a third preset
period.
[0068] Step S406: It is judged whether n is equal to K, where n may
refer to the number of operating times of the power device when the
compressor operates, and K is a preset value in the above-mentioned
embodiments of the disclosure. When n is equal to K, Step S407 is
executed. Otherwise, n is added with 1, and Step S403 is
re-executed.
[0069] Step S407: It is detected whether the compressor stops. if
so, n is zeroed, and Step S402 is re-executed. Otherwise, it is
continuously detected whether the compressor stops.
[0070] Alternatively, when a power mode of the machine is started,
during normal working namely starting of the compressor, a
controller detects the starting/stopping situation of the
compressor. When it is detected that the compressor stops
operating, a timer measures time for Xmin, and then the power
device starts draining water off, the power device operates for
T.sub.pump, and then stops operating. At this time, the controller
detects whether the compressor is started. When the compressor is
not started, the entire machine enters a power-off state. When the
compressor is started, the power device stops for T.sub.stop, and
then the power device is re-started to continue operating for
T.sub.pump and stops. The operation is repeated for K times, K
being determined by the humidity of the dehumidifier (e.g., when
the humidity is 90%, K=5). After the operation is repeated for K
times, the controller will continuously detect the
starting/stopping situation of the compressor. When the compressor
re-stops operating, the operation is repeated again.
[0071] The embodiments of the disclosure also provide a drainage
control device of a dehumidifier. The functions of the device may
be achieved by means of the dehumidifier. It is important to note
that the drainage control device of the dehumidifier according to
the embodiment of the disclosure may be configured to execute the
drainage control method of the dehumidifier provided by the
embodiments of the disclosure, and the drainage control method of
the dehumidifier provided by the embodiments of the disclosure may
also be executed by means of the drainage control device of the
dehumidifier provided by the embodiments of the disclosure.
[0072] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a device for controlling
drainage of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the
disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the drainage control device of the
dehumidifier includes: a first detecting element 10, a first
controlling element 20, a second detecting element 30, a first
judging element 40, and a second controlling element 50.
[0073] The first detecting element 10 is configured to detect, when
a compressor of a dehumidifier is powered on, whether the
compressor operates or not.
[0074] The compressor of the dehumidifier is powered on, i.e., the
compressor is started. Under this state, the compressor may be
standby, i.e., the compressor is energized but does not work, or
the compressor may be in an operation state namely a
dehumidification working state. When the compressor is
de-energized, it may be shown that the dehumidifier does not
execute a dehumidification operation. In this case, water may not
be drained off. When the compressor is energized, it is detected
whether the compressor operates or not. When the compressor
operates, the dehumidifier is collecting, via a water collecting
device, water obtained by treating air by the compressor. When the
compressor stops operating, since the compressor is energized, it
is shown that the compressor may stop operating after
dehumidification reaches a certain extent, and may be standby.
[0075] The first controlling element 20 is configured to control,
when it is detected that the compressor stops operating, a power
device of the dehumidifier to start draining water off after a
first preset period.
[0076] When it is detected that the compressor stops operating, the
power device is controlled to start draining water off after the
first preset period. Alternatively, when it is detected that the
compressor stops operating, i.e., the compressor is standby, a
controller controls a timer to start timing. When time measured by
the timer reaches the first preset period, the timer returns a
timing reaching signal to the controller, and after receiving the
signal, the controller controls the power device to start draining
water off. Certainly, the control may also inquire the measured
time of the timer, and when it is inquired that the measured time
reaches the first preset period, the power device is controlled to
start draining water off. Wherein, the first preset period may be
determined according to the model of the dehumidifier and
environment parameters.
[0077] The second detection 30 is configured to detect operation
period of the power device.
[0078] After the power device starts draining water off, the
controller detects the operation period of the power device namely
drainage time. The operation period may be started by means of the
timer after the power device starts operating.
[0079] The first judging element 40 is configured to judge whether
the operation period reaches a second preset period or not.
[0080] The second controlling element 50 is configured to control,
when it is determined that the operation period reaches the second
preset period, the power device to stop operating.
[0081] After the power device is started, it is unnecessary to be
draining water off all the time. Therefore, after the operation
period of the power device is detected, it is judged whether the
operation period reaches the second preset period. When so, the
power device may be controlled to stop operating, thereby
preventing the power device from operating all the time to waste
electric energy. If not, the power device continuously operates.
Wherein, the second preset period may be determined according to
the model of the dehumidifier, and may also be determined according
to parameters such as a drainage amount of the dehumidifier within
unit time and a usual water collecting amount in the water
collecting device. When the operation period of the power device
reaches the second preset period, it is shown that water in the
water collecting device has been drained off or water drainage
reaches a certain amount.
[0082] According to the embodiments of the disclosure, when the
compressor of the dehumidifier is powered on, it is detected
whether the compressor operates or not. When it is detected that
the compressor stops operating, the power device of the
dehumidifier is controlled to start draining water off after the
first preset period. When drainage time of the power device reaches
the second preset period, the power device is controlled to stop
operating, i.e., to stop draining water off. In such a way, by
controlling the starting time and stopping period of the power
device by means of time, the problem that water cannot be drained
from the dehumidifier due to abnormal water level detection is
solved, thereby achieving the effect of controlling the
dehumidifier to drain water off by means of time instead of water
level detection.
[0083] Alternatively, the drainage control device further includes:
a third detecting element, configured to detect, in the process of
controlling the power device to operate, whether the compressor
starts operating or not; a third controlling element, configured to
control, when it is detected that the compressor starts operating,
the power device to operate in a preset working mode; and a fourth
controlling element, configured to control, when it is detected
that the compressor does not start operating, the dehumidifier to
be powered off.
[0084] Alternatively, after the power device is controlled to stop
operating, it is detected whether the compressor starts operating.
When the compressor starts operating, the power device is
controlled to operate in a preset working mode, wherein the preset
working mode may be one of the following modes.
[0085] Mode 1: The power device is controlled to operate once at a
preset time interval when the compressor operates, each operation
lasting for a set operation period. For example, the power device
starts operating at an interval (10 min), operates for 5 min, waits
for 10 min, and then continues operating for 5 min.
[0086] Mode 2: After stopping for a period of time, the power
device starts operating, and keeps operating until the compressor
stops operating.
[0087] When it is detected that the compressor does not start
operating, the dehumidifier is controlled to be powered off. Water
in the water collecting device has been drained off from operation
starting to operation stopping of the power device, at this time,
the compressor still does not start operating, it is shown that the
dehumidifier still does not execute a dehumidification operation,
so the dehumidifier may be controlled to be powered off, thereby
avoiding the problem of energy waste due to the fact that the
dehumidifier continuously operates but does not execute the
dehumidification operation.
[0088] In the embodiments of the disclosure, the step that it is
detected whether the compressor starts operating may be executed in
an operation process of the power device. Wherein, when it is
detected that the compressor does not start operating, after the
power device operates for the second preset period, the
dehumidifier is controlled to be powered off. When it is detected
that the compressor starts operating, after the power device
operates for the second preset period, the power device may be
controlled to operate in a preset working mode.
[0089] Alternatively, the third controlling element includes: a
detecting component, configured to detect stopping period at which
the power device stops operating, the stopping period being a
period of time within which the power device stops operating; a
first judging component, configured to judge whether the stopping
period reaches a third preset period or not; a first controlling
component, configured to control, when it is determined that the
stopping period reaches the third preset period, the power device
to start draining water off; a second controlling component,
configured to control, after the operation period of the power
device reaches a fourth preset period, the power device to stop
operating; a recording component, configured to record the number
of operating times of the power device under a preset working mode;
and a second judging component, configured to judge whether the
number of the operating times reaches a preset value or not,
wherein the detecting component is further configured to detect,
when it is determined that the number of the operating times does
not reach the preset value, the stopping period at which the power
device stops operating.
[0090] After the power device stops operating, the power device is
re-started after the third preset period, and after the operation
period of the power device reaches the fourth preset period, the
power device is controlled to stop operating, wherein the third
preset period and the fourth preset period may be set according to
the model of the dehumidifier.
[0091] The number of the operating times under the preset working
mode is a count of operation starting of the power device under the
preset working mode, the count excluding a count of previous
operation starting of the power device under the preset working
mode.
[0092] The number of the operating times of the power device under
the preset working mode is compared with the preset value, it is
judged whether the number of the operating times reaches the preset
value, when the number of the operating times does not reach the
preset value, stopping period after the power device stops
operating previously is continuously detected, and when the
stopping period reaches the third preset period, the power device
is controlled to start operating and the number of the operating
times is recorded. The operation is repeatedly executed until the
number of the operating times of the power device reaches the
preset value.
[0093] According to the embodiments of the disclosure, after it is
detected that the compressor starts operating, the power device is
controlled to work in the above-mentioned preset working mode. That
is, the power device is controlled to operate once at an interval
namely the third preset period, each operation lasting for the
fourth preset period until the power device operates for the preset
value. Thus, it can be ensured that after the compressor starts
operating, the power device is controlled to operate according to
time, thereby draining water off from the water collecting device,
and achieving the aim of timely drainage.
[0094] Alternatively, the first detecting element is further
configured to detect, when it is determined that the number of the
operating times reaches the preset value, whether the compressor
operates or not, and zero the number of the operating times under
the preset working mode. The number of the operating times under
the preset working mode is zeroed, in order that when the power
device re-enters the preset working mode, the count of repeated
operation starting is re-recorded.
[0095] Alternatively, the fourth preset period and the second
preset period have a same duration. That is, lasting time for
operation of the power device at each time is identical. Thus, a
control policy of the power device can be simplified.
[0096] The drainage control device further includes: a third
detecting element, configured to detect humidity of an environment
where the dehumidifier is located; and a determining element,
configured to determine the preset value according to the
humidity.
[0097] Alternatively, the preset value which is set may be stored
on a memory of the dehumidifier according to a corresponding
relation between the humidity of the environment and the preset
value. For example, when the humidity is 90%, the corresponding
preset value is 5. Thus, after the humidity of the environment
where the dehumidifier is located is detected, the corresponding
preset value may be found from the memory according to the
humidity, thereby determining the number of operating times of the
power device to be achieved under the preset working mode.
[0098] The embodiments of the disclosure also provide a
dehumidifier. The dehumidifier may be configured to execute the
drainage control method according to the embodiment of the
disclosure, and may also be configured to implement the drainage
control device according to the embodiment of the disclosure.
Specifically, the drainage control method according to the
embodiment of the disclosure may be executed by means of a
controller of the dehumidifier.
[0099] The dehumidifier includes: a compressor; a power device; a
timer, configured to measure a first preset period and a second
preset period; and a controller, connected to the compressor, the
power device and the timer separately, and configured to detect,
when the compressor of the dehumidifier is powered on, whether the
compressor operates or not, control, when it is detected that the
compressor stops operating, the power device to start draining
water off after the first preset period, and control the power
device to stop operating after the second preset period.
[0100] It is important to note that the process of controlling
drainage by the controller of the dehumidifier according to the
embodiment of the disclosure may refer to the drainage control
method according to the embodiment of the disclosure, which will
not be elaborated herein.
[0101] As shown in FIG. 6, the dehumidifier further includes: a
water collecting device 605, a joint device 604, a water tube 602,
and a water outlet 603. The water collecting device 605 is
connected to a water way via the joint device 604, water is guided
to a power device 601 by using the water tube 602, and the water
flows to the water outlet 603 by means of the power device 601 and
is drained off finally.
[0102] In an example embodiment, the condensed water produced
during normal working of the dehumidifier will be collected in the
water collecting device 605. When water is drained off by using the
power device 601, the power device 601 is controlled to start or
stop under the control of a time program of the controller (not
shown in the figure). When the power device 601 is started, the
water in the water collecting device 605 flows to the power device
601 via the joint device 604 and the water tube, and the power
device 601 drains the water off to the water outlet 603 via the
water tube 602 for drainage.
[0103] It is important to note that in order to perform simple
description, each of the above-mentioned method embodiments is
expressed as a series of action combinations. However, those
skilled in the art shall learn that the embodiments of the
disclosure are not limited by a described action sequence. That is
because some steps may be executed in other sequences or at the
same time according to the embodiments of the disclosure. Secondly,
those skilled in the art shall also learn that the embodiments
described in the specification fall within optional embodiments,
and involved actions and modules may not be necessary for the
embodiments of the disclosure.
[0104] In the above embodiments of the disclosure, descriptions of
each embodiment are emphasized respectively, and parts which are
not elaborated in detail in a certain embodiment may refer to
relevant descriptions of other embodiments.
[0105] In some embodiments provided by the disclosure, it will be
appreciated that the disclosed technical contents may be
implemented in other modes. Wherein, the device embodiment
described above is only schematic. For instance, division of the
units may be division of logical functions, and there may be
additional division modes during actual implementation. For
instance, a plurality of units or components may be combined or
integrated to another system, or some features may be omitted or
may be not executed. In addition, displayed or discussed mutual
coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be
performed via some interfaces, and indirect coupling or
communication connection between units or modules may be in an
electrical form or other forms.
[0106] The units illustrated as separate parts may be or may not be
physically separated. Parts for unit display may be or may not be
physical units. That is, the parts may be located at a place or may
be distributed on a plurality of units. The aims of the solutions
of the embodiments may be achieved by selecting some or all units
according to actual requirements.
[0107] In addition, all function units in all embodiments of the
disclosure may be integrated in a processing unit, or each unit may
exist separately and physically, or two or more units may be
integrated in a unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in a
hardware form or may be implemented in a software function unit
form.
[0108] When the integrated unit is implemented in the software
function unit form and is sold or used as an independent product,
the product may be stored in a computer readable storage medium.
Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the
disclosure may be substantially embodied in a software product form
or parts contributing to the traditional art or all or some of the
technical solutions may be embodied in the software product form,
and a computer software product is stored in a storage medium,
including a plurality of instructions enabling a computer device,
which may be a personal computer, an mobile terminal, a server or a
network device, to execute all or some of the steps of the method
according to each embodiment of the disclosure. The storage medium
includes: various media capable of storing program codes, such as a
U disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a
mobile hard disk, a magnetic disk or an optical disc.
[0109] The above is only the optional embodiments of the
disclosure, and not intended to limit the disclosure. There may be
various modifications and variations in the disclosure for those
skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent replacements,
improvements and the like made within the spirit and principle of
the disclosure shall fall within the scope of protection of the
disclosure.
* * * * *