Patent Publication Number: US-9841198-B2

Title: Air conditioner units having improved make-up air module communication

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to air conditioner units, and more particularly to air conditioner units which utilize dehumidification systems and which provide make-up air therethrough. 
     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 issue, some air conditioner units include apparatus for dehumidifying air that is flowed through such vent apertures. 
     However, further improvements may be desirable when utilizing vent apertures and dehumidification apparatus. For example, in known air conditioner units which utilize such dehumidification apparatus, there is no communication between the dehumidification apparatus and the main thermodynamic assembly of the air conditioner unit. Operation of the dehumidification apparatus is thus independent of operation of the main thermodynamic assembly. In some cases, such independent operation can result in relatively inefficient overall operation of the air conditioner unit. For example, in cases wherein the outside humidity level is relatively high, the dehumidification unit may operate to dehumidify the air. However, when the main compressor is also operating, such as in a cooling mode, the heat exchange efficiency of the air conditioner unit may be reduced due to operation of the dehumidification unit and only minimal dehumidification by the dehumidification unit may occur. 
     Accordingly, improved air conditioner units are desired. In particular, air conditioner units which can provide make-up air as desired and which can provide communication between the dehumidification apparatus and main thermodynamic assembly thereof to increase the overall operating efficiency of the unit 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 unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger disposed in an outdoor portion, an indoor heat exchanger disposed in an indoor portion, and a compressor in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The unit further includes 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 unit further includes a vent aperture defined in the bulkhead. The unit further includes a dehumidification system disposed at least partially within the outdoor portion, the dehumidification system including an evaporator configured for removing heat from outdoor air flowing therethrough, a condenser configured for adding heat to outdoor air flowing therethrough, and an auxiliary compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator and the condenser. The unit further includes a humidity sensor disposed within the outdoor portion, and a controller in communication with the compressor, the auxiliary compressor and the humidity sensor. The controller is configured to deactivate the auxiliary compressor when the compressor is active and an outdoor humidity level sensed by the humidity sensor is above a predetermined humidity threshold. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an air conditioner unit is provided. The unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger disposed in an outdoor portion, an indoor heat exchanger disposed in an indoor portion, and a compressor in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The unit further includes 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 unit further includes a vent aperture defined in the bulkhead. The unit further includes a dehumidification system disposed at least partially within the outdoor portion, the dehumidification system including an evaporator configured for removing heat from outdoor air flowing therethrough, a condenser configured for adding heat to outdoor air flowing therethrough, and an auxiliary compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator and the condenser. The unit further includes a humidity sensor disposed within the outdoor portion, and a controller in communication with the compressor, the auxiliary compressor and the humidity sensor. The controller is configured to determine whether an outdoor humidity level sensed by the humidity sensor is above a predetermined humidity threshold, determine if the compressor is active when the outdoor humidity level is above the predetermined humidity threshold, and deactivate the auxiliary compressor when the compressor is active. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a method for operating an air conditioner unit is provided. The method includes determining whether an outdoor humidity level is above a predetermined humidity threshold, determining if a compressor is active when the outdoor humidity level is above the predetermined humidity threshold, the main compressor in communication with an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger, and deactivating an auxiliary compressor of a dehumidification system when the compressor is active. 
     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; and 
         FIG. 5  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 (not shown), 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 thermodynamic assembly 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 expansion valve, both of which may be in fluid communication with the heat exchangers  30 ,  40  to flow refrigerant therethrough as is generally understood. 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 coils  31 ,  41 , as illustrated, 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 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 briefly to  FIG. 3 , 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 . 
     As discussed, in some cases it may be desirable to treat air being flowed through the vent aperture  90 . For example, outdoor air which has a relatively high humidity level and/or temperature level may require treating before being flowed through vent aperture  90  from outdoor portion  14  to indoor portion  12 . Accordingly, and referring now to  FIG. 4 , air conditioner unit  10  may further include a dehumidification system  100 . Dehumidification system  100  may be utilized to treat outdoor air, also known as make-up air, flowing therethrough and through vent aperture  90 . 
     Dehumidification system  100  generally includes the components required for operation of a refrigeration cycle. At least a portion of the dehumidification system  100  may be disposed within the outdoor portion  14 . For example, as illustrated, dehumidification system  100  may include an evaporator  102  and a condenser  104 , both of which may be disposed in the outdoor portion  14 . Evaporator  102  is generally configured for removing heat from outdoor air flowing therethrough, while condenser  104  is generally configured for adding heat to outdoor air flowing therethrough. Evaporator  102  may be any suitable heat exchanger configured to operate as an evaporator, and in particular may be a suitable indirect heat exchanger such as a microchannel evaporator. Outdoor air may generally be flowed through the evaporator  102 . During such flow through the evaporator  102  the outdoor air may transmit heat to a suitable refrigerant being flowed through the evaporator  102 , thus cooling the outdoor air. Additionally, such heat dump may cause moisture condensation from the outdoor air. Such condensation removes moisture from the outdoor air, such that the outdoor air exiting the evaporator  102  may be relatively cooler and dryer than the outdoor air entering the evaporator  102 . 
     Condenser  104  may be any suitable heat exchanger configured to operate as a condenser, and in particular may be a suitable indirect heat exchanger such as a microchannel condenser. Outdoor air, such as in some embodiments the outdoor air flowing from the evaporator  102 , may generally be flowed through the condenser  104 . During such flow through the condenser  104  the refrigerant may transmit heat to the outdoor air being flowed through the condenser  104 , thus heating the outdoor air. Accordingly, the outdoor air exiting the condenser  104  may be relatively hotter than the outdoor air entering the condenser  104 . 
     As illustrated, dehumidification system  100  may further include an auxiliary compressor  106  and an expansion device  108 , both of which may be in fluid communication with the evaporator  102  and condenser  104  to flow refrigerant therethrough as is generally understood. In exemplary embodiments as illustrated, auxiliary compressor  106  and expansion device  108  may be disposed in the outdoor portion  14 . Expansion device  108  may, for example, be a capillary tube as illustrated or another suitable expansion device configured for use in a refrigeration cycle. Various lines may additionally be provided for flowing refrigerant between the various components of the dehumidification device  100 , such as the evaporator  102 , condenser  104 , auxiliary compressor  106  and expansion device  108 , and thus providing the fluid communication there between. Refrigerant may thus flow through such lines from evaporator  102  to auxiliary compressor  106 , from auxiliary compressor  106  to condenser  104 , from condenser  104  to expansion device  108 , and from expansion device  108  to evaporator  102 . The refrigerant may generally undergo phase changes associated with a refrigeration cycle as it flows to and through these various components, as is generally understood. One suitable refrigerant for use in dehumidification system  100  is 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane, also known as R- 134 A, although it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such example and rather that any suitable refrigerant may be utilized. 
     Dehumidification system  100  may further include a fan  110 , which may operate to encourage the flow of outdoor air through the evaporator  102  (and condenser  104  in embodiments as shown) and therethrough to the vent aperture  90 . Accordingly, fan  110  may be positioned upstream of the evaporator  102  along the flow direction of outdoor air through the evaporator  102 , and may operate to push air through the evaporator  102  (and condenser  104 ). Alternatively, fan  110  may be disposed downstream of the evaporator  102  along the flow direction of outdoor air through the evaporator  102 , and may operate to pull air through the evaporator  102  (and condenser  104 ). 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 through evaporator  102  may be flowed past fan  110  into and through vent aperture  90 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , unit  10  may further include a temperature sensor  120  and a humidity sensor  122 . The temperature sensor  120  and the humidity sensor  122  may, for example, be disposed within the outdoor portion  14 , and may be configured to measure the temperature and relative humidity, respectively, of outdoor air. Any suitable temperature sensor and humidity sensor may be utilized in accordance with the present disclosure. As discussed herein, temperature sensor  120  and humidity sensor  122  may be utilized to control operation of the main thermodynamic assembly and the dehumidification system  100 . Accordingly, temperature sensor  120  and humidity sensor  122  may be in communication with the main thermodynamic assembly and the dehumidification system  100 , such as through controller  85 . 
     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 , and may further be in communication with dehumidification system  100  (such as with the auxiliary compressor  106  and fan  110  thereof), and may thus be configured to operate dehumidification system  100  and the various components thereof. For example, in exemplary embodiments, controller  85  may be configured to activate the dehumidification system  100  (such as the auxiliary compressor  106  thereof to operate in a refrigeration cycle) when an outdoor humidity level (such as in the outdoor portion  14 ) is above a predetermined humidity threshold and/or an outdoor temperature (such as in the outdoor portion  14 ) is above a predetermined temperature threshold. Controller  85  may further be configured to deactivate the dehumidification system  100  (such as the auxiliary compressor  106  thereof) when an outdoor humidity level (such as in the outdoor portion  14 ) is below the predetermined humidity threshold and/or an outdoor temperature (such as in the outdoor portion  14 ) is below the predetermined temperature threshold. The predetermined humidity threshold may, for example, be between approximately 40% and approximately 70% relative humidity, such as between approximately 50% and approximately 60% relative humidity, such as approximately 55% relative humidity. The predetermined temperature threshold may, for example, be between approximately 40° F. and approximately 60° F., such as approximately 50° F. The sensors  120 ,  122  may be in communication with the controller  85  such that the controller  85  receives the temperature and humidity levels from the sensor  120 ,  122  and can activate and deactivate the dehumidification system  100  (such as the auxiliary compressor  106  thereof) as required. 
     Additionally, controller  85  may be configured to operate fan  110 . In exemplary embodiments, fan  110  may be constantly active when the air conditioner unit  10  is operational, i.e. when the unit  10  is on and the compressors  32 ,  106  are each active or inactive. Such constant operation of the fan  110  may facilitate the constant supply of outdoor air into the indoor portion  12  and thus into a room in which the unit  10  is installed. 
     Controller  85  may thus be configured to operate both the compressor  32  and the auxiliary compressor  106 , and may thus advantageously facilitate communication between the main thermodynamic assembly (and compressor  32  thereof) and the auxiliary thermodynamic assembly (and auxiliary compressor  106  thereof). Operations of the compressor  32  and auxiliary compressor  106  can thus advantageously be utilized to the benefit of both systems. Controller  85  can transmit and receive signals from both systems, such that operations thereof are no longer entirely independent of one another, which can advantageously allow the unit  10  to operate in a manner which provides increased user comfort and/or which provides increased efficiency. 
     One particular advantage is that operation of the compressor  32  and/or auxiliary compressor  106  can be based on signals from the temperature sensor  120  and/or the humidity sensor  122 . Signals in accordance with the present disclosure are generally data signals transmitted to the controller  85  from the temperature sensor  120  and the humidity sensor  122 , and which include temperature and humidity values sensed by the temperature sensor  120  and humidity sensor  122 , respectively. Operation of the compressor  32  and/or auxiliary compressor  106  based on these signals means that, at various times during use of the unit  10 , the compressor  32  and/or auxiliary compressor  106  may be activated and/or deactivated based on a temperature received from temperature sensor  120  and/or, at various times during use of the unit  10 , the compressor  32  and/or auxiliary compressor  106  may be activated and/or deactivated based on a temperature received from humidity sensor  122 . 
     Controller  85  may additionally advantageously be configured to operate the blower fan  42  and the fan  110 , such as based on signals from the temperature sensor  120  and/or the humidity sensor  122 . 
     For example, in some embodiments, controller  85  may be configured to deactivate the auxiliary compressor  106  when the compressor  32  is active and an outdoor humidity level sensed by the humidity sensor  122  is above the predetermined humidity threshold. The predetermined humidity threshold may, for example, be greater than or equal to 40%, greater than or equal to 45%, greater than or equal to 50%, greater than or equal to 55%, greater than or equal to 60%, or any suitable predetermined humidity threshold range as discussed herein. Accordingly, when the controller  85  senses that the compressor  32  is active and thus operating the main thermodynamic assembly to actively provide heating or cooling, and the controller  85  further senses that the outdoor humidity level is above the predetermined humidity threshold, the controller  85  may deactivate the auxiliary compressor  106  such that heat exchange and resulting dehumidification operations are not being actively performed by the dehumidification system  100 . Notably, deactivation may include deactivating an active auxiliary compressor  106  as well as not activating an inactive auxiliary compressor  106 . 
     Such operation may advantageously increase the efficiency of the unit  10 . For example, by deactivating the dehumidification system  100 , overall cooling when the main thermodynamic assembly is in cooling mode may be increased, such as in some cases by between 30% and 40% or more. Additionally, in some cases the overall dehumidification that may occur when both the compressor  32  and auxiliary compressor  106  are active is relatively small. Deactivation of the auxiliary compressor  106  may result in power savings, without concerns related to significant losses in dehumidification performance. 
     In some embodiments, such deactivation 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 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 being generally in a particular mode does not require that the assembly 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 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, controller  85  may further be configured to activate the auxiliary compressor  106  when the compressor  32  is inactive and the outdoor humidity level sensed by the humidity sensor  122  is above the predetermined humidity threshold. Accordingly, when the controller  85  senses that the compressor  32  is inactive and thus not operating the main thermodynamic assembly to actively provide heating or cooling, and the controller  85  further senses that the outdoor humidity level is above the predetermined humidity threshold, the controller  85  may activate the auxiliary compressor  106  such that heat exchange and resulting dehumidification operations are actively performed by the dehumidification system  100 . Notably, activation may include activating an inactive auxiliary compressor  106  as well as maintaining activation of an active auxiliary compressor  106 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the present disclosure is further directed to methods  200  for operating air conditioner units  10 . Such methods  200  may similarly facilitate improved air conditioner unit  10  operation. 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 determining whether an outdoor humidity level is above the predetermined humidity threshold. 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  220  of determining if the compressor  32  is active, as discussed herein. Such step  220  may in some embodiments occur after step  210 , and may thus occur when the outdoor humidity level is above the predetermined humidity threshold. 
     Method  200  may further include the step  230  of deactivating the auxiliary compressor  106 , as discussed herein. Such step  230  may in some embodiments occur after step  220 , and may occur when the compressor  32  is active. 
     Method  200  may further include the step  240  of activating the auxiliary compressor  106 , as discussed herein. Such step  240  may in some embodiments occur after step  230 , and may occur when the compressor  32  is inactive. 
     Method  200  may further include the step  250  of determining whether the air conditioner unit  10  is in a cooling mode or a heating mode, as discussed herein. Such step may in some embodiments occur before step  210 . Further, in some embodiments, step  210  may occur when, such as only when, the air conditioner unit  10  is in the cooling mode. 
     Notably, various 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.