IoT Based Smart Hybrid Dehumidifier System and Control Method

Abstract

Disclosed are an Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart hybrid dehumidification system capable of reducing energy consumption, that is, the usage of a heater by using the condensation heat of a pre-cooler as a heat source for heating a rotor for releasing moisture in a dehumidification device to the outside, and a control method therefor. The IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system includes a sensing unit provided in a dehumidification space, a direct heating unit configured to suction humid air and supply dehumidified dry air to the dehumidification space, a direct digital controller (DDC) configured to control the direct heating unit, and a user terminal configured to remotely control the DDC in real time according to a sensing signal sensed by the sensing unit, and thus it is possible to maximize user convenience.

Claims

1. An Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart hybrid dehumidification system comprising: a sensing unit provided in a dehumidification space; a direct heating unit configured to suction humid air and supply dehumidified dry air to the dehumidification space; a direct digital controller (DDC) configured to control the direct heating unit; and a user terminal configured to remotely control the DDC in real time according to a sensing signal sensed by the sensing unit, wherein the direct heating unit comprises a pre-cooler configured to cool and supply outdoor air, a dehumidification rotor configured to adsorb moisture in a dry adsorption manner from the outdoor air cooled by the pre-cooler, and a heat source unit configured to evaporate the moisture of the dehumidification rotor, the heat source unit comprises a first regenerative heat source unit and a second regenerative heat source unit, and the first regenerative heat source unit uses the condensation heat of the pre-cooler, the second regenerative heat source unit uses a heater, and the heater is activated by sunlight power.

2. The IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system of claim 1, further comprising: a first heat source supply unit configured to supply a heat source to the first regenerative heat source unit by including a compressor and a condenser; and a second heat source supply unit configured to supply a heat source to the first regenerative heat source unit using solar heat or configured to supply heat sources to the first regenerative heat source unit and the second regenerative heat source unit using solar heat and sunlight, respectively.

3. The IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system of claim 2, wherein the first regenerative heat source unit comprises a first pipe through which a solar-heat storage material flows and a second pipe through which a high-temperature refrigerant flows, and the second pipe is buried in the first pipe.

4. The IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system of claim 3, wherein the direct heating unit further comprises: a bypass line configured to circulate a high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the condenser without passing through the first regenerative heat source unit; and a three-way valve configured to control the bypass line.

5. The IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system of claim 3, wherein the sensing unit comprises a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor provided in the dehumidification space, which includes an intake port and an exhaust port, and a camera configured to sense a state in the dehumidification space.

6. The IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system of claim 5, wherein the direct heating unit further comprises an intake fan configured to supply cooled dry air from which moisture is removed by the dehumidification rotor to the intake port and an exhaust fan configured to release, through the exhaust port, air in the dehumidification space or air heated by the dehumidification rotor to the outside in order to suction humid air and supply dehumidified dry air to the dehumidification space, and the DDC controls the operation of the pre-cooler, dehumidification rotor, heat source unit, intake fan, and exhaust fan of the direct heating unit according to an instruction value from the user terminal.

7. An Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart hybrid dehumidification control method comprising: (a) presetting the temperature in a first regenerative heat source unit by a user terminal; (b) activating an intake fan provided in a direct heating unit to supply air to an intake port of a dehumidification space, and at the same time, cooling outdoor air by a pre-cooler and removing the moisture contained in the outdoor air by a dehumidification rotor; (c) sensing the temperature in the first regenerative heat source unit by a temperature sensing member provided in the first regenerative heat source unit after the dehumidification is performed in operation (b); (d) circulating a high-temperature refrigerant discharged from a compressor to a condenser through a bypass line in order not to pass through the first regenerative heat source unit when the temperature sensed in operation (c) is higher than the temperature set in operation (a); and (e) activating a heater of a second regenerative heat source unit by a battery supplying power when the temperature sensed in operation (c) is lower than the temperature set in operation (a).

8. The IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification control method of claim 7, wherein the supply of a heat source from a first heat source supply unit to the first regenerative heat source unit and the supply of a heat source from a second heat source supply unit to the first regenerative heat source unit and the second regenerative heat source unit are executed according to the temperature preset by the user terminal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing exemplary embodiments thereof in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating the configuration of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a direct heating unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a direct heating unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 4 is an internal configuration diagram of a first regenerative heat source unit shown in FIG. 3;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a direct heating unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of an IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the present invention; and

[0025] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The above and other objects and new features of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0027] The terms OA, EA, RA, and SA used herein refer to outdoor air, exhausted air, returned air, and supplied air, respectively.

[0028] Also, the term “IoT” refers to the Internet of Things in which various things are connected to the Internet through built-in sensors and communication functions.

Embodiment 1

[0029] An IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating the configuration of an IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a direct heating unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the present invention includes a sensing unit 200 provided in a dehumidification space 100, a direct heating unit (DHU) 300 configured to suction humid air (OA) and supply dehumidified dry air to the dehumidification space 100 (SA), a direct digital controller (DDC) 400 configured to control the DHU 300, and a user terminal 500 configured to remotely control the DDC 400 in real time according to a sensing signal sensed by the sensing unit 200.

[0032] The dehumidification space 100 may be an indoor space such as a house, office, and factory or a space for experimentation of equipment for which humidity should be kept constant. An intake port 101 configured to receive air supplied through the DHU 300 (SA) and an exhaust port 102 configured to suction air in the dehumidification space 100 and discharge the suctioned air to the outside are provided in an upper portion, e.g., on the ceiling, of the dehumidification space 100.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the sensing unit 200 may include a humidity sensor 210 for sensing the humidity in the dehumidification space 100, a temperature sensor 202 configured to sense a temperature, and a camera 203 configured to sense a state in the dehumidification space 100.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the DHU 300 includes a pre-cooler 310 configured to cool and supply outdoor air, a dehumidification rotor 320 configured to adsorb moisture from the outdoor air cooled by the pre-cooler 310 in a dry adsorption manner, a heat source unit 330 configured to evaporate the moisture of the dehumidification rotor 320, an intake fan 340 configured to supply the cooled and dry air from which humidity is removed by the dehumidification rotor 320 to the intake port 101 of the dehumidification space 100, and an exhaust fan 350 configured to exhaust the air in the dehumidification space 100 and discharge air heated by the dehumidification rotor 320 to the outside, through the exhaust port 102

[0035] Also, although not shown in FIG. 2, the DHU 300 further includes an air conditioning duct configured to form a flow path so that returned air (RA) is introduced and supplied to the dehumidification space 100 (SA) and a regeneration duct configured to form a flow path so that outdoor air (OA) is introduced and exhausted (EA). Also, a filter for removing foreign matter such as dust included when the returned air (RA) or the outdoor air (OA) is introduced may be provided in each of the air conditioning duct and the regeneration duct.

[0036] The pre-cooler 310, which is an evaporator, cools and supplies high-temperature and high-humidity outdoor air (OA) or returned air (RA) to the dehumidification rotor 320 such that the air is supplied to the inside. As shown in FIG. 2, the pre-cooler 310 includes a first pre-cooler 311 and a second pre-cooler 312, each of which operates according to the set temperature of the dehumidification space 100. That is, the first pre-cooler 311 may continue to operate, and the second pre-cooler 312 may intermittently operate according to the sensing of the set temperature.

[0037] The dehumidification rotor 320 may have an adsorbent, such as silica gel and zeolite, attached thereto in a honeycomb structure to adsorb moisture in a dry adsorption manner and may be divided into an intake air flow area through which an intake air flow passes and an exhaust air flow area through which an exhaust air flow passes by a partition wall between the air conditioning duct and the regeneration duct. For example, the dehumidification rotor 320 may be rotated by a motor and a belt installed in the DHU 300 in one direction.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the heat source unit 330 includes a first regenerative heat source unit 331 using the condensation heat of the pre-cooler 310 and a second regenerative heat source unit 332 using a heater.

[0039] The first regenerative heat source unit 331 is used for moisture evaporation of the dehumidification rotor 320 without releasing the condensation heat of the pre-cooler 310 to the outside, and thus it is possible to reduce energy consumption for heating by the heater of the second regenerative heat source unit 332 compared to conventional technology.

[0040] The DDC 400 is provided to control the operation of the pre-cooler 310, the dehumidification rotor 320, the first regenerative heat source unit 331 and the second regenerative heat source unit 332 of the heat source unit 330, the intake fan 340, and the exhaust fan 350 of the DHU 300 according to an instruction value from the user terminal 500 and can realize high precise control compared to the conventional PLC or Micom. That is, the DDC 400 includes a memory, a central processing unit (CPU), and a communication module for communication with the user terminal 500 and automatically recognizes and stores a set value or a control value for temperature, humidity, air volume, and humidification in the dehumidification space 100 so that the automatic control of the DHU 300 may be possible.

[0041] An application program or an application (app) for remotely controlling the DDC 400 in real time according to a sensing signal of the humidity sensor 210, the temperature sensor 202, or the camera 203 may be stored in the user terminal 500, and the CPU of the DDC 400 may be controlled by wireless communication through this app.

[0042] As the user terminal 500, a smartphone is used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various terminals such as a portable terminal, a mobile terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP) terminal, a navigation terminal, a notebook computer, a tablet PC, or a wearable device may be used.

[0043] As described above, the IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the present invention may remotely control the operation state of the DHU 300 through the DDC 400 using the user terminal 500 according to a sensing signal of the sensing unit 200 provided in the dehumidification space 100, and thus it is possible to maximize user convenience. Also, the condensation heat of the pre-cooler 310 is used as a heat source for heating the dehumidification rotor 320 for releasing humidity to the outside, and thus it is possible to maximize dehumidification performance and improve thermal efficiency and energy saving efficiency.

Embodiment 2

[0044] An IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Also, in the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in the first embodiment, and repetitive descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a DHU according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an internal configuration diagram of a first regenerative heat source unit, which is part “A” shown in FIG. 3.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the second embodiment of the present invention further includes a first heat source supply unit 600 configured to supply a heat source to the first regenerative heat source unit 331 by including a condenser 610 and a compressor 620 and a second heat source supply unit 700 configured to supply a heat source to the first regenerative heat source unit 331 by using solar heat in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0047] The first heat source supply unit 600 supplies a high-temperature refrigerant discharged by the compressor 620 to the first regenerative heat source unit 331, and as shown in FIG. 3, the second heat source supply unit 700 includes a solar panel 710 for generating solar heat and supplies the solar heat generated by the solar panel 710 to the first regenerative heat source unit 331.

[0048] That is, the IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the second embodiment of the present invention uses solar heat remaining in the solar panel 710 and the condensation heat of the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 620 in combination as a regenerative heat source of the dehumidification rotor 320.

[0049] In order to use the solar heat and the condensation heat in combination, as shown in FIG. 4, the first regenerative heat source unit 331 is provided in a double-pipe-type regenerative heat source structure with a first pipe 3311 through which heat storage material that performs heat transfer for solar heat in the solar panel 710 flows and a second pipe 3312 which is buried in the first pipe 3311 and through which a high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 620 flows. Also, the double pipe is provided in a continuous U-shaped curved form so as to increase the heating efficiency of the heat source.

[0050] As described above, in the second embodiment, the solar heat remaining in the solar panel 710 and the condensation heat of the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 620 provided for the pre-cooler 310 are used as the regenerative heat source of the dehumidification rotor 320 in combination, and thus it is possible to further save energy than in the first embodiment in which a heater is applied.

Embodiment 3

[0051] An IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 5. Also, in the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments, and repetitive descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a DHU according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, the IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the third embodiment of the present invention further includes a first heat source supply unit 600 configured to supply a heat source to the first regenerative heat source unit 331 by including a condenser 610 and a compressor 620, a second heat source supply unit 700 configured to supply a heat source to the first regenerative heat source unit 331 or the second regenerative heat source unit 332 by using solar heat and sunlight, a bypass line 360 configured to circulate a high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 620 to the condenser 610 without passing through the first regenerative heat source unit 331, and a three-way valve 370 configured to control the bypass line 360. Also, by providing the bypass line 360, a check valve may be provided in a heat recovery line of the first regenerative heat source unit 331, and a temperature sensing member may be provided to sense the temperature in the first regenerative heat source unit 331.

[0054] The first heat source supply unit 600 according to the third embodiment supplies a high-temperature refrigerant discharged by the compressor 620 to the first regenerative heat source unit 331 as in the second embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 5, the second heat source supply unit 700 includes a solar panel 710 for generating solar heat and sunlight power, a battery 720 for storing the power generated by the solar panel 710, and a switch 730 for turning on/off the supply of power to a heater, which is the second regenerative heat source unit 332. In this case, the solar heat generated by the solar panel 710 is supplied to the first regenerative heat source unit 331.

[0055] That is, the IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the third embodiment of the present invention supplies solar heat remaining in the solar panel 710 and power generated by the solar panel 710 to the first regenerative heat source unit 331 and the second regenerative heat source unit 332, respectively, and supplies the condensation heat of the high-heat refrigerant discharged from the compressor 620 to the first regenerative heat source unit 331. Accordingly, like the second embodiment, the first regenerative heat source unit 331 uses the solar heat and the condensation heat in combination as a regenerative heat source of the dehumidification rotor 320.

[0056] Therefore, even in the third embodiment, in order to use the solar heat and the condensation heat in combination, as shown in FIG. 4, the first regenerative heat source unit 331 is provided in a double-pipe-type regenerative heat source structure with a first pipe 3311 through which heat storage material that performs heat transfer for solar heat in the solar panel 710 flows and a second pipe 3312 which is buried in the first pipe 3311 and through which a high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 620 flows. Also, the double pipe is provided in a continuous U-shaped curved form so as to increase the heating efficiency of the heat source.

[0057] As described above, in the third embodiment, the solar heat remaining in the solar panel 710, the sunlight power, and the condensation heat of the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 620 provided for the pre-cooler 310 are used in combination as the regenerative heat source of the dehumidification rotor 320, and thus it is possible to further save energy than in the first embodiment in which a heater is applied and in the second embodiment in which the solar heat and the condensation heat of the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 620 are used in combination.

[0058] The control of an IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Also, the control of the IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system will be described on the basis of the third embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the description can also be equally applied to the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of an IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the present invention.

[0060] The IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system according to the present invention is activated through a user terminal 500. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and an activation switch provided in a DDC 400 may be used for the activation. Meanwhile, the temperature or humidity in a dehumidification space 100 may be preset by the user terminal 500. Also, the temperature in a first regenerative heat source unit 331 may be preset by the user terminal 500 (S10).

[0061] Accordingly, an intake fan 340 provided in a DHU 300 is activated (S20) to supply air to an intake port 101 of the dehumidification space 100. At the same time, a pre-cooler cools outdoor air (OA), and a dehumidification rotor 320 removes moisture contained in the outdoor air (OA). Then, an exhaust fan 350 is activated to discharge the air in the dehumidification space 100 through an exhaust port 102. Also, when the temperature and humidity in the dehumidification space 100 is preset by an app provided in the user terminal 500, the temperature and humidity sensed in the dehumidification space 100 by the sensing unit 200 may be adjusted through the user terminal 500. Meanwhile, the temperature in the first regenerative heat source unit 331 is sensed by a temperature sensing member provided in the first regenerative heat source unit 331, and the sensed temperature is transmitted to the DDC 400.

[0062] Also, the moisture adsorbed by the dehumidification rotor 320 is removed by heat sources of the first regenerative heat source unit 331 and the second regenerative heat source unit 332 using the heater.

[0063] When the temperature of a first pipe 3311 provided in the first regenerative heat source unit 331, which is sensed in S30, is determined to be higher than the temperature preset by the user terminal 500 (S40), a three-way valve 370 circulates a high-temperature refrigerant discharged from a compressor 620 to a condenser 610 through a bypass line 360 without passing through the first regenerative heat source unit 331 under the control of DDC 400 (S50).

[0064] Meanwhile, when the temperature of the first pipe 3311 provided in the first regenerative heat source unit 331 is determined to be lower than the temperature preset by the user terminal 500 in S40, that is, when solar heat is not sufficiently supplied from the solar panel 710 due to a cloudy day or night, etc., a switch 730 is turned on for a battery 720 to supply power to activate the heater, which is the second regenerative heat source unit 332 (S60).

[0065] As described above, the supply of the heat source from the first heat source supply unit 600 to the first regenerative heat source unit 331 and the supply of the heat source from the second heat source supply unit 700 to the first regenerative heat source unit 331 and the second regenerative heat source unit 332 may be optimally executed according to the temperature preset by the user terminal 500.

[0066] As described above, with the Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart hybrid dehumidification system and the control method therefor according to the present invention, the operation state of a direct heating unit can be remotely controlled using a user terminal according to a sensing signal of a sensing unit provided in a dehumidification space, and thus it is possible to maximize user convenience based on the IoT.

[0067] Also, with the IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system and the control method therefor according to the present invention, the condensation heat of a pre-cooler and solar heat remaining in a solar panel are used as a heat source for heating a dehumidification rotor for releasing moisture to the outside, and thus it is possible to maximize dehumidification performance and improve thermal efficiency and energy saving efficiency on the basis of the IoT.

[0068] Also, with the IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system and the control method therefor according to the present invention, solar heat remaining in a solar panel, sunlight power, the condensation heat of a high-temperature refrigerant discharged from a compressor provided for a pre-cooler are used in combination as a regenerative heat source of a dehumidification rotor, and thus it is possible to further save energy on the basis of IoT.

[0069] Also, with the IoT-based smart hybrid dehumidification system and the control method therefor according to the present invention, a second pipe through which high-temperature refrigerant flows is buried in a first pipe through which solar heat storage material flows in a first regenerative heat source unit, and thus it is possible to miniaturize the first regenerative heat source unit.

[0070] Although the invention made by the present inventor has been described in detail according to the above embodiments, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be changed in various ways without departing from the gist thereof.