US20170191720A1

US20170191720A1 - Air Conditioner Units Having Dehumidification Features

Info

Publication number: US20170191720A1
Application number: US14/987,807
Authority: US
Inventors: Brent Alden Junge; Michael John Kempiak
Original assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2016-01-05
Filing date: 2016-01-05
Publication date: 2017-07-06

Abstract

Air conditioner units and methods for operating the same are provided. An air conditioner unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger includes a coil assembly, the coil assembly including a plurality of coil branches. The indoor heat exchanger further includes a valve in operable communication with one of the plurality of coil branches, the valve movable between an open position wherein refrigerant is flowable from the one of the plurality of coil branches through the valve and a closed position wherein refrigerant is prevented from flowing from the one of the plurality of coil branches through the valve. The air conditioner unit further includes a compressor in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger, and a controller in communication with the compressor and the valve, the controller configured to selectively open and close the valve.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to air conditioner units, and more particularly to air conditioner units which include improved dehumidification features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Air conditioner units are conventionally utilized to adjust the temperature within structures such as dwellings and office buildings. In particular, one-unit type room air conditioner units may be utilized to adjust the temperature in, for example, a single room or group of rooms of a structure. A typical such air conditioner unit includes an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The indoor portion is generally located indoors, and the outdoor portion is generally located outdoors. Accordingly, the air conditioner unit generally extends through a wall, window, etc. of the structure.
In the outdoor portion of a conventional air conditioner unit, a compressor that operates a refrigerating cycle is provided. At the back of the outdoor portion, an outdoor heat exchanger connected to the compressor is disposed, and facing the outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan for cooling the outdoor heat exchanger is provided. At the front of the indoor portion of a conventional air conditioner unit, an air inlet is provided, and above the air inlet, an air outlet is provided. A blower fan and a heating unit may additionally be provided in the indoor portion. Between the blower fan and heating unit and the air inlet, an indoor heat exchanger connected to the compressor is provided.
When cooling operation starts, the compressor is driven to operate the refrigerating cycle, with the indoor heat exchanger serving as a cold-side evaporator of the refrigerating cycle, and the outdoor heat exchanger as a hot-side condenser. The outdoor heat exchanger is cooled by the outdoor fan to dissipate heat. As the blower fan is driven, the air inside the room flows through the air inlet into the air passage, and the air has its temperature lowered by heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger, and is then blown into the room through the air outlet. In this way, the room is cooled.
When heating operation starts, the compressor may be driven to operate a heat pump cycle, with the indoor heat exchanger serving as a hot-side condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger as a cold-side evaporator. The heating unit may additionally be operated to raise the temperature of air in the air passage. As the blower fan is driven, the air inside the room flows through the air inlet into the air passage, and the air has its temperature raised by heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger, and is then blown into the room through the air outlet. In this way, the room is heated.
Further, conventional air conditioner units include a bulkhead which is positioned between the indoor portion and outdoor portion, and thus generally separates the components within the indoor portion from the components in the outdoor portion. Various components may additionally be connected to the bulkhead, such as the blower fan and heating unit.
In some cases, it may be desirable to allow outdoor air through the bulkhead into a room into which the air conditioner unit extends. Accordingly, many bulkheads include vent apertures for allowing such airflow. However, issues may occur when the outdoor air being flowed through the vent aperture is, for example, at a relatively high humidity level and/or relatively high temperature level. Such air may, for example, cause discomfort to a user of the air conditioner appliance.
To resolve this humidity issue, some air conditioner units include separate systems for dehumidifying air that is flowed through such vent apertures. However, such systems are typically costly and complex, and can reduce the efficiency of the air conditioner unit.
Accordingly, improved air conditioner units are desired. In particular, air conditioner units which can facilitate dehumidification while remaining relatively simple and inexpensive, and without requiring separate dehumidification systems, would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In accordance with one embodiment, an air conditioner unit is provided. The air conditioner unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger disposed in an outdoor portion, and an indoor heat exchanger disposed in an indoor portion. The indoor heat exchanger includes a coil assembly, the coil assembly including a plurality of coil branches. The indoor heat exchanger further includes a valve in operable communication with one of the plurality of coil branches, the valve movable between an open position wherein refrigerant is flowable from the one of the plurality of coil branches through the valve and a closed position wherein refrigerant is prevented from flowing from the one of the plurality of coil branches through the valve. The air conditioner unit further includes a compressor in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger, and a bulkhead disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger along a transverse direction, the bulkhead defining the indoor portion and the outdoor portion. The air conditioner unit further includes a controller in communication with the compressor and the valve, the controller configured to selectively open and close the valve.
In accordance with another embodiment, a method for operating an air conditioner unit is provided. The method includes activating a compressor of the air conditioner unit, the compressor in communication with an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger. The method further includes determining whether an humidity level is above a predetermined humidity threshold. The method further includes closing a valve when the humidity level is above a predetermined humidity threshold, and opening the valve when the humidity level is below the predetermined humidity threshold. The valve is in operable communication with one of a plurality of coil branches of a coil assembly of the indoor heat exchanger.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an air conditioner unit, with a room front exploded from a remainder of the air conditioner unit for illustrative purposes, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of components of an indoor portion of an air conditioner unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a bulkhead assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective section view of components of an air conditioner unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a thermodynamic assembly for an air conditioner unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for operating an air conditioner unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. 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 or spirit 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.
Referring now to FIG. 1, an air conditioner unit 10 is provided. The air conditioner unit 10 is a one-unit type air conditioner, also conventionally referred to as a room air conditioner. The unit 10 includes an indoor portion 12 and an outdoor portion 14, and generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. Each direction V, L, T is perpendicular to each other, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined.
A housing 20 of the unit 10 may contain various other components of the unit 10. Housing 20 may include, for example, a rear grill 22 and a room front 24 which may be spaced apart along the transverse direction by a wall sleeve 26. The rear grill 22 may be part of the outdoor portion 14, which the room front 24 is part of the indoor portion 12. Components of the outdoor portion 14, such as an outdoor heat exchanger 30, outdoor fan 36 (see FIG. 5), and compressor 32 may be housed within the wall sleeve 26. A casing 34 may additionally enclose the outdoor fan, as shown.
Referring now also to FIG. 2, indoor portion 12 may include, for example, an indoor heat exchanger 40, a blower fan 42, and a heating unit 44. These components may, for example, be housed behind the room front 24. Additionally, a bulkhead 46 may generally support and/or house various other components or portions thereof of the indoor portion 12, such as the blower fan 42 and the heating unit 44. Bulkhead 46 may generally separate and define the indoor portion 12 and outdoor portion 14.
Outdoor and indoor heat exchangers 30, 40 may be components of a sealed thermodynamic assembly 100 which may alternately be operated as a refrigeration assembly (and thus perform a refrigeration cycle) or a heat pump (and thus perform a heat pump cycle). The assembly may, for example, further include compressor 32 and an expansion valve 33 (see FIG. 5), both of which may be in fluid communication with the heat exchangers 30, 40 to flow refrigerant therethrough as is generally understood. A reversing valve 35 may additionally be provided for converting the assembly 100 between a cooling mode and a heating mode. When the assembly is operating in a cooling mode and thus performs a refrigeration cycle, the indoor heat exchanger 40 acts as an evaporator and the outdoor heat exchanger 30 acts as a condenser. When the assembly is operating in a heating mode and thus performs a heat pump cycle, the indoor heat exchanger 40 acts as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 30 acts as an evaporator. The outdoor and indoor heat exchangers 30, 40 may each include coil assemblies, as discussed herein, through which a refrigerant may flow for heat exchange purposes, as is generally understood.
Bulkhead 46 may include various peripheral surfaces that define an interior 50 thereof. For example, and additionally referring to FIG. 3, bulkhead 46 may include a first sidewall 52 and a second sidewall 54 which are spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction L. A rear wall 56 may extend laterally between the first sidewall 52 and second sidewall 54. The rear wall 56 may, for example, include an upper portion 60 and a lower portion 62. Upper portion 60 may for example have a generally curvilinear cross-sectional shape, and may accommodate a portion of the blower fan 42 when blower fan 42 is housed within the interior 50. Lower portion 62 may have a generally linear cross-sectional shape, and may be positioned below upper portion 60 along the vertical direction V. Rear wall 56 may further include an indoor facing surface 64 and an opposing outdoor facing surface. The indoor facing surface 64 may face the interior 50 and indoor portion 12, and the outdoor facing surface 66 may face the outdoor portion 14.
Bulkhead 46 may additionally extend between a top end 61 and a bottom end 63 along vertical axis V. Upper portion 60 may, for example, include top end 61, while lower portion 62 may, for example, include bottom end 63.
Bulkhead 46 may additionally include, for example, an air diverter 68, which may extend between the sidewalls 52, 54 along the lateral direction L and which may flow air therethrough.
In exemplary embodiments, blower fan 42 may be a tangential fan. Alternatively, however, any suitable fan type may be utilized. Blower fan 42 may include a blade assembly 70 and a motor 72. The blade assembly 70, which may include one or more blades disposed within a fan housing 74, may be disposed at least partially within the interior 50 of the bulkhead 46, such as within the upper portion 60. As shown, blade assembly 70 may for example extend along the lateral direction L between the first sidewall 52 and the second sidewall 54. The motor 72 may be connected to the blade assembly 70, such as through the housing 74 to the blades via a shaft. Operation of the motor 72 may rotate the blades, thus generally operating the blower fan 42. Further, in exemplary embodiments, motor 72 may be disposed exterior to the bulkhead 46. Accordingly, the shaft may for example extend through one of the sidewalls 52, 54 to connect the motor 72 and blade assembly 70.
Heating unit 44 in exemplary embodiments includes one or more heater banks 80. Each heater bank 80 may be operated as desired to produce heat. In some embodiments as shown, three heater banks 80 may be utilized. Alternatively, however, any suitable number of heater banks 80 may be utilized. Each heater bank 80 may further include at least one heater coil or coil pass 82, such as in exemplary embodiments two heater coils or coil passes 82. Alternatively, other suitable heating elements may be utilized.
The operation of air conditioner unit 10 including compressor 32 (and thus the thermodynamic assembly 100 generally) blower fan 42, heating unit 44, and other suitable components may be controlled by a processing device such as a controller 85. Controller 85 may be in communication (via for example a suitable wired or wireless connection) to such components of the air conditioner unit 10. By way of example, the controller 85 may include a memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of unit 10. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. 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.
Unit 10 may additionally include a control panel 87 and one or more user inputs 89, which may be included in control panel 87. The user inputs 89 may be in communication with the controller 85. A user of the unit 10 may interact with the user inputs 89 to operate the unit 10, and user commands may be transmitted between the user inputs 89 and controller 85 to facilitate operation of the unit 10 based on such user commands. A display 88 may additionally be provided in the control panel 87, and may be in communication with the controller 85. Display 88 may, for example be a touchscreen or other text-readable display 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 unit.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a vent aperture 90 may be defined in the rear wall 56 of bulkhead 46. Vent aperture 90 may allow air flow therethrough between the indoor portion 12 and outdoor portion 14, and may be utilized in an installed air conditioner unit 10 to allow outdoor air to flow therethrough into the indoor portion 12.
In some embodiments, a fan 110 may be provided for flowing outdoor air through the vent aperture 90. Fan 110 may, when active, be operable to actively flow outdoor air through the vent aperture 90. Fan 110 may, in some embodiments as illustrated, be disposed within outdoor portion 14. Additionally or alternatively, fan 110 may be partially or wholly disposed in vent aperture 90 or partially or wholly disposed in indoor portion 12. Accordingly, outdoor air flow may be flowed past fan 110 into and through vent aperture 90.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, unit 10 may further include one or more temperature sensors 120 and/or humidity sensors 122. Each temperature sensor 120 and/or the humidity sensor 122 may, for example, be disposed within the outdoor portion 14 as shown or the indoor portion 12, and may be configured to measure the temperature and relative humidity, respectively, of air such as outdoor air or indoor air. Any suitable temperature sensor and humidity sensor may be utilized in accordance with the present disclosure. As discussed herein, temperature sensors 120 and humidity sensors 122 may be utilized to control operation of the thermodynamic assembly 100. Accordingly, temperature sensors 120 and humidity sensors 122 may be in communication with the main thermodynamic assembly 100, such as through controller 85.
As discussed, in some cases it may be desirable to treat air being flowed into the indoor portion 12. For example, outdoor air which has a relatively high humidity level and/or temperature level may require treating, such as to reduce the humidity level and/or temperature level of the air. Accordingly, units 10 in accordance with the present disclosure may further include features and apparatus for facilitating improved dehumidification operation as desired. Advantageously, unit 10, and specifically the thermodynamic assembly 100 thereof, may be operated to provide increased dehumidification capabilities when desired during operation of the unit 10. Notably, such selective increased dehumidification capabilities may negate any need for any separate dehumidification systems in units 10. Accordingly, the cost and complexity of the unit 10 is reduced, while providing desired dehumidification.
Referring to FIG. 5, and as discussed, outdoor heat exchanger 30 and indoor heat exchanger 40 may each include a coil assembly 102, 104, respectively. The coil assemblies 102, 104 may each include coils (also known as flow conduits, passages, tubes, etc.) through which refrigerant flows for heat exchange purposes, as is generally understood. Further, in exemplary embodiments as illustrated, a coil assembly 102, 104 may include a plurality of coil branches. A coil branch is a coil or portion of a coil which runs in a parallel fluid flow arrangement with one or more other coil branches. Notably, such parallel fluid flow does not have to be geometrically parallel, but merely parallel in the context that the coil branches have branched, or split, from a single coil or coil branch as illustrated.
For example, as illustrated, the coil assembly 104 of indoor heat exchanger 40 may include a plurality of coil branches 106. The coil branches 106 may, for example, be arranged in one or more groups. For example, coil assembly 104 may additionally include an inlet coil 108. When in the cooling mode, refrigerant may, as illustrated, flow from expansion valve 33 into and through the inlet coil 108. A first plurality of coil branches 110, which may for example include two or more coil branches 106, may extend from and be in fluid communication with the inlet coil 108. When in the cooling mode, the coil branches 106 of the first plurality 110 may be downstream of the inlet coil 108 along a flow path of the refrigerant.
Further, coil assembly 104 may include a second plurality of coil branches 112, which may for example, include two or more coil branches 106. Each coil branch 106 of the second plurality of coil branches 112 may extend from and be in fluid communication with a coil branch 106 of the first plurality of coil branches 110. Notably, two or more coil branches 106 of the second plurality 112 may extend from and be in fluid communication with a coil branch 106, such as in exemplary embodiments with each coil branch 106, of the first plurality of coil branches 110. For example, in exemplary embodiments as illustrated, the first plurality of coil branches 110 may include two coil branches 106 which extend from and are in fluid communication with the inlet coil 108. The second plurality of coil branches 112 may include four coil branches 106, two of which extend from and are in fluid communication with each of the coil branches 106 of the first plurality of coil branches 110. When in the cooling mode, the coil branches 106 of the second plurality 110 may be downstream of the coil branch(es) 106 of the first plurality 110 with which they are in fluid communication along a flow path of the refrigerant.
Additionally, in some embodiments, coil assembly 104 may include a manifold coil 114. The manifold coil 114 may be in fluid communication with a plurality of coil branches 106, such as with the coil branches 106 of the first plurality 110 or, as shown, the second plurality 112. When in the cooling mode, the manifold coil 114 may be downstream of the pluralities of coil branches 110, 112. The manifold coil 114 may, in the cooling mode, rejoin the parallel fluid flows of refrigerant from the coil branches 106 into a single flow for further use in the thermodynamic assembly 100, such as for flow to the compressor 32.
In exemplary embodiments, as further illustrated in FIG. 5, unit 10 (and thermodynamic assembly 100 thereof) may include one or more valves 116, each of which may be in operable communication with one of the plurality of coil branches 106. For example, in some embodiments, a valve 116 may be in operable communication with a coil branch 106 of the first plurality 110, while in other embodiments as illustrated a valve 116 may be in operable communication with a coil branch 106 of the second plurality 112. Due to the operable communication with the coil branch 106, the valve 116 may be movable between an open position wherein refrigerant is flowable from the coil branch 106 into and through the valve 116 such that the refrigerant exits the valve 116 and continues flow through the coil assembly 104 and a closed position wherein refrigerant is prevented from flowing from the coil branch 106 into and through the valve 116 and thus prevented from exiting the valve 116 and continuing to flow through the coil assembly 104.
In exemplary embodiments, valves 116 may be in operable communication with half of a plurality of coil branches 106, such as with half of the first plurality of coil branches 110 or, as illustrated, half of the second plurality of coil branches 112. For example, in exemplary embodiments, a plurality of valves 116 may be utilized, and each valve 116 may be in operable communication with a coil branch 106 of the first plurality 110 or, as illustrated, the second plurality 112. As shown, two valves 116 may in some embodiments be utilized, with one valve 116 in operable communication with one of the two coil branches 106 of the second plurality 112 that extend from one of the branches 106 of the first plurality 110 and another valve 116 in operable communication with one of the two coil branches 106 of the second plurality 112 that extend from the other of the branches 106 of the first plurality 110. Alternatively, other suitable arrangements of valves 116 in operable communication with one or more coil branches 106 of the coil assembly 104 may be utilized.
In exemplary embodiments, a valve 116 in accordance with the present disclosure may be a solenoid valve 116. Alternatively, other suitable mechanical, electrical, or electro-mechanical valves may be utilized.
Use of valves 116 to selectively allow refrigerant flow therethrough (and thus through the associated coil branches 106) may advantageously facilitate selective increases in the dehumidification abilities of the unit 10. For example, when one or more valves 116 are moved to the closed position, the total number of coil branches 106 through which refrigerant can flow is reduced. When in cooling mode, closing of the valves 116 results in higher pressure drops in other open coil branches 106 through which refrigerant is flowing. This reduces the temperature of refrigerant and the indoor heat exchanger 40 generally, and increases the latent cooling capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 40. Accordingly, the dehumidification capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 40 in increased. When the valves 116 are moved to the open position, when in the cooling mode, the temperature and latent cooling capacity are reduced back to normal operating parameters. Accordingly, one or more valves 116 can advantageously be selectively closed as desired to increase the dehumidification capacity of the unit 10.
As discussed, air conditioner unit 10 may include a controller 85. Controller 85 may additionally be in communication with temperature sensor 120 and humidity sensor 122 as well as fan 92, and may further be in communication with valves 116. Controller 85 may, for example, selectively open and close the one or more valves 116. Such selective opening and closing may, as discussed, selectively provide the unit 10 with increased dehumidification capacity. In exemplary embodiments, the controller 85 may selectively open and close the one or more valves 116 when in a cooling mode, such as only when in a cooling mode.
For example, controller 85 may be configured to close the valve(s) 116 when the compressor 32 is active and a humidity level (such as an outdoor humidity level in the outdoor portion 14 or an indoor humidity level in the indoor portion 12) is above a predetermined humidity threshold. Controller 85 may further be configured to open the valve(s) 116 when the compressor 32 is active and the humidity level is below the predetermined humidity threshold. The predetermined humidity threshold may, for example, be greater than or equal to approximately 40% relative humidity, such as greater than or equal to approximately 50% relative humidity, such as greater than or equal to approximately 60% relative humidity, such as between 40% and 70% relative humidity, such as between 50% and 60% relative humidity. In exemplary embodiments, such closing and opening may occur when the unit 10 is in a cooling mode, such as only when the unit 10 is in a cooling mode.
Additionally, controller 85 may be configured to operate fan 92. In exemplary embodiments, fan 92 may be constantly active when the air conditioner unit 10 is operational, i.e. when the unit 10 is on and the compressor 32 is either active or inactive. Such constant operation of the fan 92 may facilitate a constant supply of outdoor air into the indoor portion 12 and thus into a room in which the unit 10 is installed.
As discussed, in some embodiments, opening and closing of the valves 116 may occur, such as only occur, when the air conditioner unit 10 is in a cooling mode. For example, controller 85 may, based on instructions transmitted thereby to the compressor 32 and thermodynamic assembly 100 generally, sense whether current operation is in a heating mode or a cooling mode. The current mode of operation may, for example, determine the manner in which various subsequent steps are carried out. Notably, the thermodynamic assembly 100 being generally in a particular mode does not require that the assembly 100 generally is active. Rather, being in a particular mode may require only that the thermodynamic assembly is configured for activation in that particular mode and/or was active in that particular mode immediately prior to such determination by controller 85.
Referring now to FIG. 6, the present disclosure is further directed to methods 200 for operating air conditioner units 10. Such methods 200 may similarly facilitate improved unit 10 dehumidification capabilities, as discussed above. In exemplary embodiments, the various method steps as disclosed herein may be performed by controller 85.
For example, method 200 may include the step 210 of activating a compressor 32 of the air conditioner unit 10, as discussed herein. Method 200 may further include the step 220 of activating a fan 92 to flow air through a vent aperture 90, as discussed herein.
Method 200 may further include the step 230 of determining whether the air conditioner unit 10 is in a cooling mode or a heating mode, as discussed herein. In exemplary embodiments, subsequent steps as discussed herein may occur when, such as only when, the air conditioner unit 10 is in the cooling mode.
Method 200 may further include the step 240 of determining whether a humidity level (such as an outdoor humidity level or an indoor humidity level) is above a predetermined humidity threshold, as discussed herein. Such step may, for example, be performed by controller 85 in communication with humidity sensor 122, and may thus be based on signals from the humidity sensor 122.
Method 200 may further include the step 250 of closing one or more valves 116 when the humidity level is above the predetermined humidity threshold, and the step 260 of opening one or more valves 116 when the humidity level is below the predetermined humidity threshold. In exemplary embodiments, such steps 250, 260 may occur when, such as only when, the unit 10 is in a cooling mode. Further, in exemplary embodiments, such steps 250, 260 may occur when, such as only when, the compressor 32 is active.
Notably, the default position of the valves 116 in accordance with the present disclosure (i.e. when in the heating mode and/or cooling mode) may be the open position. Additionally, the predetermined thresholds as discussed herein may, in some embodiments, be empirically determined and programmed into controller 85. Additionally or alternatively, various predetermined thresholds as discussed herein may be user adjustable, such as via user interaction with unit 10 via user inputs 89.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An air conditioner unit, comprising:

an outdoor heat exchanger disposed in an outdoor portion;

an indoor heat exchanger disposed in an indoor portion, the indoor heat exchanger comprising a coil assembly, the coil assembly comprising a plurality of coil branches, the indoor heat exchanger further comprising a valve in operable communication with one of the plurality of coil branches, the valve movable between an open position wherein refrigerant is flowable from the one of the plurality of coil branches through the valve and a closed position wherein refrigerant is prevented from flowing from the one of the plurality of coil branches through the valve;

a compressor in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger;

a bulkhead disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger along a transverse direction, the bulkhead defining the indoor portion and the outdoor portion; and

a controller in communication with the compressor and the valve, the controller configured to selectively open and close the valve.

2. The air conditioner unit of claim 1, further comprising a humidity sensor disposed within one of the indoor portion or outdoor portion, the controller further in communication with the humidity sensor.

3. The air conditioner unit of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to close the valve when the compressor is active and a humidity level sensed by the humidity sensor is above a predetermined humidity threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to open the valve when the compressor is active and the humidity level is below the predetermined humidity threshold.

4. The air conditioner unit of claim 3, wherein the predetermined humidity threshold is greater than or equal to 40% relative humidity.

5. The air conditioner unit of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to close the valve and open the valve when the air conditioner unit is in a cooling mode.

6. The air conditioner unit of claim 1, wherein the coil assembly comprises an inlet coil and a first plurality of coil branches, each of the first plurality of coil branches in fluid communication with the inlet coil.

7. The air conditioner unit of claim 6, wherein the coil assembly further comprises a second plurality of coil branches, each of the second plurality of coil branches in fluid communication with one of the first plurality of coil branches.

8. The air conditioner unit of claim 7, wherein the valve is in operable communication with one of the second plurality of coil branches.

9. The air conditioner unit of claim 8, wherein the valve is a plurality of valves, each of the plurality of valves in operable communication with one of the second plurality of coil branches.

10. The air conditioner unit of claim 1, wherein the coil assembly further comprises a manifold coil downstream of the plurality of coil branches.

11. The air conditioner unit of claim 1, wherein the valve is a solenoid valve.

12. The air conditioner unit of claim 1, wherein the valve is a plurality of valves.

13. The air conditioner unit of claim 1, further comprising a vent aperture defined in the bulkhead.

14. The air conditioner unit of claim 13, further comprising a fan disposed in the outdoor portion and in communication with the controller, the fan operable to actively flow air through the vent aperture.

15. The air conditioner unit of claim 14, wherein the fan is constantly active when the air conditioner unit is operational.

16. A method for operating an air conditioner unit, the method comprising:

activating a compressor of the air conditioner unit, the compressor in communication with an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger;

determining whether a humidity level is above a predetermined humidity threshold;

closing a valve when the humidity level is above a predetermined humidity threshold; and

opening the valve when the humidity level is below the predetermined humidity threshold,

wherein the valve is in operable communication with one of a plurality of coil branches of a coil assembly of the indoor heat exchanger.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the closing and opening steps occur when the air conditioner unit is in a cooling mode.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising activating a fan to flow air through a vent aperture defined in a bulkhead, the bulkhead disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger along a transverse direction.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the humidity level is an outdoor humidity level.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the predetermined humidity threshold is greater than or equal to 40% relative humidity.