BRPI1101418A2 - Drying method and profile - Google Patents

Abstract

DRYING METHOD AND PROFILE. The invention relates to a drying machine comprising at least one electronic controller, a pulse generator, at least one temperature detector, an operator interface and at least one heating means with at least one actuator. device controller per trigger, and a drying method comprising sending a pulse to the device controllers via the electronic controller in accordance with a pulse pattern received from the pulse generator, wherein the pulse pattern comprises the steps of: energizing all actuators of at least one heating medium for a first specified period of time; de-energizing a driver from at least one heating medium for a second period of time; de-energizing another actuator of at least one of the heating means for a specified third period of time; comparing, during the previous steps, the temperature detected by a first temperature detector versus a target temperature; if the detected temperature is greater than the target, interrupt, temperature of the signal to the device drivers; if the detected temperature is lower than the target temperature, no signal interruption to the device drivers; and repeating the previous steps at least once.

Description

DRYING METHOD AND PROFILE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of drying and profiling in a clothes dryer. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method and profile with a drying cycle that results in dryer energy and / or gas savings compared to those of normal cycles by reducing heat which does not aid in water evaporation of textiles.

Background

Over the last few years, and in the area of home appliances, the international community has become increasingly aware of environmental protection. Specifically, appliances are required to use less water, if water is used, less gas, if gas is used, and less energy, which translates into less electricity. For this reason, there is a need for appliances to be more energy efficient. In 2008, the European Community commissioned Ecobilan to study the environmental impact of household appliances, including clothes dryers. In the same year, DOE in the United States began to develop a regulatory standard for the energy efficiency of clothes dryers, which will become effective in January 2015. Thus, it is imminent that appliances, especially dryers, reduce their use of energy and gas to meet future standards and to be more energy efficient. US publication number 2006086000 makes known a dryer and a method for controlling it, wherein an alert is generated to inform the operator that the dryer is operating abnormally and even if there is a malfunction in an electrical switch provided to prevent overheating. -heating a heater in the dryer when the dryer is operating and abnormally designed to prevent malfunctions from causing additional hazards. The heater includes a dryer, an outlet duct, an electrical switch and a control. The heater is provided to heat the air. Hot air flows through the outlet duct. The switch turns off to turn off the heater when the heater temperature is outside a predetermined temperature range. If the switch turns off a certain number of times or more during heater operation, the control determines that the airflow is abnormal and disables the heater.

Japanese publication number 10043499 teaches that when a cycle is selected, up to the outlet temperature, which is detected by an outlet temperature detector, which is placed near the air outlet of the drum, to reach a high limit temperature. , two of the three heaters are on and the temperature is slowly increased over a period. When the outlet temperature reaches the high temperature limit, only one heater is turned on and heating is suppressed. In this way the outlet temperature is slowly reduced over a period of time. When the outlet temperature is reduced by 4 ° C from the high temperature limit, both heaters are turned back on and the temperature rises again for a period of time. By switching on part of the heaters even during the temperature reduction time in this manner. The temperature fluctuation range is reduced and damage to textiles is reduced.

Japanese publication number 10043498 teaches that,

When a substrate temperature is lower than the reference temperature, until the outlet temperature, detected by the outlet temperature detector placed near the drum air outlet, reaches the high limit temperature (TH), the three heating parts are switched on and the temperature is increased over a period of time. When the outlet temperature reaches TH temperature, two heaters are turned on and one off. In this way, the outlet temperature is gently reduced over a period of time. When the outlet temperature is reduced by 1 ° C from TH, the three heaters are switched on again for a period of time. When the temperature rise continues despite a heater being turned off, all heaters are turned off when the temperature rises 40 ° C above TH for a period of time. Through such control, the fluctuation of the temperature range is reduced and damage to textiles is reduced.

Japanese publication number 07289798 teaches that during the heating process a microcomputer electrifies the heaters to heat the transmitted air, giving the engine the energy to rotate the drum that rotates an air-moving fan, and the drying operation is completed when The difference in the output temperature detector and the temperature around the detector reaches the predetermined value. In this case, when the ambient temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, while the outlet temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, only one of the heaters is electrified.

When the outlet temperature is lower than the prescribed temperature, both heaters must be electrified. Additionally, when the ambient temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, while the ambient temperature is higher than the upper limit, electrical power must be suppressed from both heaters.

US 6,199,300 makes known a method and apparatus for controlling the heat input in a dryer, where the initial heat input in the loading of clothes is placed at the highest power until a predetermined first temperature or a weather condition. occur. Thereafter, heating is reduced to reduce energy consumption, while moisture is effectively removed from the clothing load. When the moisture content of the garment load drops below a predetermined value, the full heat input is applied to remove the remaining moisture from the garment load.

US 5,291,667 makes known a microprocessor dryer control system that monitors inlet air temperature and outlet air temperature. If the inlet temperature exceeds a predetermined high value a predetermined number of times, an air lock indicator is activated. Drying degrees are measured by the number of times the inlet temperature has fallen below the limit value, while the heater is turned off because the outlet temperature has exceeded the desired value. A drying time is calculated, which is shown to the user based on a linear function and the measured outlet temperatures at the beginning of the cycle and again shortly thereafter.

US 7,444,762 makes known a clothes dryer containing a system for regulating the air inlet temperature. The system includes a first detector placed at the dryer inlet and includes a timer and a thermostat, a heat source found in a heating box adjacent the first detector and a second detector found at the dryer outlet. The thermostat determines the inlet air temperature of the dryer and cooperates with the control to prevent the thermostat from reaching its temperature limit and turning off the heat source. In this way damage is avoided due to excessive air temperatures.

Japanese publication number 03109100 makes known a first temperature detector placed in an air discharge portion. Air in a drum is sucked in through the filter flows through an outlet in the drum and enters the front of the fan. Subsequently, air flows through the duct towards a heater, where it is heated by all heater heating units. In this way the heated air is discharged towards the drum for circulation. On the other hand, air external to the dryer is drawn towards the rear of the fan through an inlet formed on the back plate of the dryer and discharged through an air discharge also formed on the back plate. When the first detector of

temperature, which is placed near the air discharge, sends a temperature detection signal indicating a value above the predetermined value, initially the power supply to the heating unit is interrupted in order to reduce the amount of heat to be generated in this step.

Other documents in the area are US Publications No. 2003/097764, EP No. 0 965 806, JP 04200500, JP 1064700, US 4,485,566 and US 4,267,643.

None of these prior art documents make known a method for creating an energy efficient appliance, specifically a dryer. Specifically, the state of the art does not make known a cycle that offers a dryer energy saving compared to traditional cycles.

Thus, there is a need for efficient control of energy or gas for drying, so that drying can benefit from the discovery of efficient moisture reduction in constant cycles with less drying energy or maximum internal temperature.

Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method, specifically a cycle for reducing energy and / or gas consumption by an appliance, specifically a dryer. The cycle that is defined in the present invention reduces the amount of heat that does not aid in the evaporation of water from textiles. The method can be divided into two distinct sub-methods or sub-cycles that occur in parallel. The present invention also relates to a textile dryer which may include a main cabinet or housing, a front panel, a rear panel, a pair of side panels separated by the front and rear panels and an upper cover. Inside the housing is a drum or container mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis. A motor rotates the drum on the horizontal axis by means of, for example, a pulley and a belt. The drum is generally cylindrical in shape, has a cylindrical perforated outer wall and is closed at its front by a wall defining an opening in the drum. Garments and other textiles are introduced into the drum through the opening. A plurality of tapping ribs are found within the drum to lift the articles and subsequently allow them to be brought back to the bottom of the drum while the drum rotates. The drum includes a rear wall which is rotatably supported within the main housing by a suitable fixed support. The rear wall includes a plurality of hot air receiving holes that have been treated by a heating means, such as a combustion chamber and a rear duct. The combustion chamber receives air at room temperature through an inlet. The dryers may be gas and / or electric, where the electric ones contain resistance heating elements found in the heating chamber positioned next to the outer perforated cylindrical wall that would replace the combustion chamber and the rear duct of a gas dryer. The heated air is drawn from the drum by a fan, which is driven by the motor. Air passes through a filtering screen that traps any kind of felt particles. As air passes through the filtering screen it enters a sealed entrapment duct and is passed out of the clothes dryer through an outlet duct. After the articles have been dried, they are removed from the drum through the opening.

In one embodiment, a moisture detector is used to predict the moisture percentage or drying level of the articles in the container. 0 moisture detector

typically comprises a pair of spaced bars or electrodes and also comprises circuits for providing a voltage signal representation of the moisture content of the articles to an electronic controller based on the electrical resistance or ohms of the articles. The moisture detector is located on the inner lower front wall of the drum and is alternatively mounted to the rear of the drum wall when this wall is in the resting phase. The signal from the detector may be chosen to provide a continuous representation of the moisture content of the articles within a suitable range to be processed by the electronic controller.

The electronic controller is also coupled with an inlet temperature detector. The inlet temperature detector is mounted on the dryer at the air flow inlet of the drum. The inlet temperature detector detects the temperature entering the drum and sends a corresponding temperature signal to the electronic controller. The electronic controller is also coupled to the outlet temperature detector which detects the drum outlet air temperature and sends a corresponding temperature signal to the electronic controller. The electronic controller interprets these signals to generate an airflow parameter based on the increase in inlet temperature and / or a load size parameter based on the increase in outlet temperature. These parameters, among others, are used to select a desired humidity signal, which in turn is used by the controller in conjunction with the filtered and / or reduced noise signal from the humidity detector to control the operation of the controller. dryer.

The electronic controller comprises an analog to digital (A / D) converter for receiving representations of the signal sent by the humidity detector of the temperature detectors. The A / D converter signal representation and a counter / timer are sent to a central processing unit (CPU) for further signal processing, which will be described in more detail below. The CPU also receives input and output temperature signals, respectively, from the temperature detectors via two separate analog to digital (A / D) converters. The CPU receives power from a power source, comprising one or more processing modules stored in a suitable memory device, such as a ROM read memory, to predict a percentage of moisture or degree of drying of the textile articles in the container as a function of of electrical resistance of articles. It should be noted that the memory device is not necessarily limited to a ROM, any type of memory device can be used, for example an erasable programmable memory device (EPROM) which stores instructions and facts, can also be functioning. effectively. Once it is determined that the textile has reached a desired drying level, then the CPU sends respective signals to an input / output module which in turn sends respective signals to de-energize the motor and / or the heating means.

The CPU and ROM may be configured to comprise a dryer processor. The processor estimates retention time and controls dryer retention based on a moisture signal received from the moisture detector. The processor filters the moisture signal and compares it to the desired humidity signal to control dryer operation. The processor selects a target voltage - or desired humidity - signal from a desired humidity signal table. Alternative methods to this selection can be chosen from fuzzy logic.

Additionally, the electronic controller receives a signal from a pulse generator. This pulse generator, which may be electric, digital, mechanical or electro-mechanical, where in a preferred embodiment a micro control is specifically preferred: in an alternative embodiment of said pulse generator, an electric motor (AC, Among others) can be coupled to a motor reducer or coupled directly to the shaft of at least one cam activating at least one pair of contacts (platinum): said pulse generator is capable of sending a signal ignition or de-energization to the CPU. The CPU processor based on the temperature signal received by the input and / or output temperature detectors as well as the signal received from the counter and / or timer is capable of sending a signal to the device controller of each of heating means actuators in order to energize or de-energize each of said heating means actuators. Device controllers may be of any type of electrical switch, such as a thyristor, IGBT, TRIAC, a relay, or any other type of electrical switch known in the art, which partly controls the activation or ignition of device controllers for heating means. Conversely, it is understood that the concept of "actuators" encompasses any type of device or element that generates heat by any means, such as: a gas burner coupled to a solenoid valve or the like, an electrical resistor, an infrared device, laser, etc., as well as any combinations thereof; and that the heating means comprises at least one actuator. In a first embodiment, the heating means

of a dryer are two triggers with at least one device controller per driver, and a drying method during the first dryer cycle which is comprised of: determining whether within the control panel options the operator has selected a drying cycle of the present invention, if so, the temperature limits of the heating means for low heating are modified by the electronic controller. Once the limits have been modified, the drying cycle is initiated by sending a pulse to the device controllers via the electronic controller, according to a pulse pattern received from the pulse generator, wherein said pulse pattern comprises: all drives for at least one heating medium for a first determined time interval ranging from approximately 10 seconds to 3 minutes, generating as much heat as possible. Once this first time interval has passed, de-energizing the first actuator of at least one heating means for a second time ranging from 10 seconds to 4 minutes; once the second time interval has elapsed, de-energizing the second actuator of at least one heating means for a third time interval ranging from approximately 30 seconds to 4 minutes. In parallel, and during the earlier stages of pulse patterns, drum inlet and / or outlet temperatures are constantly monitored, such that the temperature detected by a first temperature detector is compared with a target temperature: in this case where said detected temperature is greater than the target temperature, the CPU interrupts the signal to the device controllers, and in case the detected temperature is lower than the target temperature, the CPU does not interrupt the signal to the device controllers allowing said device controllers turn on and activate the triggers with the described pulse pattern, and thus the previously described steps are repeated from the initial drying at least once or until the drying is completed. Once drying is complete, a cooling time is allowed and the cycle ends. In an alternative embodiment to the presently described, during the cycle described above, in view of the different operating conditions such as: type, quantity, quality of textiles, restrictions on air outlet means, etc., and the fact of temperature measured by the drum inlet and / or outlet temperature detectors being greater than the target values, the CPU interrupts the previously described pulse train or signal to a first heating means driver via the corresponding device controller to de-energize and reduce heat inside the dryer drum. If after a certain time ranging from 500 milliseconds to one minute the temperature is still above the previously set lower limit value, the CPU interrupts the previously described pulse train or signal to a second heating means trigger by from your device controller to also de-energize and reduce with greater speed the heat inside the dryer drum, and in each case this is repeated successively until all heating means are turned off. The dryer is still running without heat generation until the temperature inside the drum, measured by the temperature detector, is below the target value, when the temperature is below the target value, the CPU allows the signal to or pulse generator pulse passes back toward the heating device device controllers, energizing them according to the turn or position in the pulse profile at the time the pulse generator is emitting at this time; such that based on said signal, the CPU determines which device drivers of the heating means drivers are energized; such that the previous steps are repeated from the beginning of drying at least once or until drying is completed. Once drying is complete, a cooling time is allowed and the cycle is complete.

In a second embodiment, a dryer heating means is comprised of a number of "n" actuators with at least one device controller per actuator, which by way of illustration and not limitation may comprise a pair of burners each coupled to a valve. solenoid or burner coupled to a valve that adopts a multitude of positions and which requires several solenoids to be controlled, an arrangement with a plurality of resistors that can be separately controlled, an infrared bank where each heater or "focus" is independently controlled, or any other similar arrangement: thus the drying method during a first dryer cycle comprises: determining whether within the control panel options the operator has selected the drying cycle of the present invention, if so, by of the electronic controller, the temperature limits of the heating media are changed to an aqua- smaller cement. Once the limits have been modified, the first drying cycle is initiated by sending a pulse to the device controllers via the electronic controller in accordance with a pulse pattern received from the pulse generator, wherein said pulse pattern comprises: energization of all "n" triggers of at least one type of heating for a given time interval ranging from approximately 10 seconds to 3 minutes, generating as much heat as possible. Once said certain time has elapsed, de-energizing the first actuator of at least one of the heating means, such that only a number of "n-1" actuators remain energized of said at least one of the heating means by one. certain time interval ranging from 10 seconds to 4 minutes: after said certain time interval, repeating the step immediately prior to the required number of times so as to consecutively de-energize the actuators one by one of the at least one heating medium until the number of triggers off is "n = 0". Once the last actuator of the at least one heating medium is switched off, a certain time interval which ranges from approximately 30 seconds to 4 minutes is allowed to pass. In parallel, and during the previous steps of the pulse pattern, drum inlet and / or outlet temperatures are constantly monitored, such that the temperature detected by the first temperature detector is compared with a target temperature: in the case of said temperature detected is greater than the target temperature, the CPU interrupts the signal to the device controllers, and in case the detected temperature is lower than the target temperature, the CPU does not interrupt the signal to the device controllers, allowing said signals. device controllers energize and activate the triggers with the described pulse pattern, and thus the previously described steps are repeated from initial drying at least once or until drying is complete. Once drying is complete, a cooling time is allowed and the cycle ends. In an alternative embodiment to the presently described, if during the cycle described above in view of the different operating conditions such as: type, quantity, quality of textiles, restrictions in the air outlet means, etc., and the temperature measured by the detectors. If the input and / or output temperature of the drum is greater than the target values, the CPU interrupts the signal to a first heating means driver (n-1) via the corresponding device controller in order to switch it off. lo and reduce heat inside the dryer drum; if after a certain time interval ranging from 500 milliseconds to one minute the temperature is still higher than the previously set lower limit value, the CPU interrupts the signal to a second heating means trigger (n-2) so also de-energize this and reduce the heat inside the dryer drum more rapidly, and in this case (if the temperature measured by the inlet and / or outlet temperature detector is even higher than the target temperature), this step is repeated successively as many times as necessary to the point where the CPU interrupts the signal consecutively one by one for all heating means triggers (n = 0). The dryer maintains operation without generating heat until the temperature inside the drum measured by the temperature detector is below the previously set limit value. When the temperature is lower than said previously set threshold value, the CPU allows a pulse generator pulse train to pass back to the device controller and heating means drivers, energizing them according to the turn or position. in the pulse profile in the time the pulse generator is emitting at this moment; such that based on said signal, the electronic controller determines which device controllers of the heating means drivers are energized; such that the previous steps are repeated from the beginning of drying at least once or until drying is completed. Once drying is completed a cooling time is allowed and the cycle is complete.

In a third embodiment, the dryer heating means is comprised of at least one driver with at least one device controller by at least one driver, and the drying method during the first dryer cycle comprises: determining whether within In the control panel options, the operator has selected the drying cycle of the present invention, if so, by means of the electronic controller, the temperature limits of the heating means are changed to a smaller heating. Once the limits have been modified, the first drying cycle is initiated by sending a pulse to the device controllers via the electronic controller in accordance with a pulse pattern received from the pulse generator, wherein said pulse pattern comprises: energization from at least one driver of at least one type of heating to its maximum power for a given time interval ranging from approximately 50 to 80 seconds, generating as much heat as possible. Once said certain time interval has elapsed, de-energizing the at least one actuator of the at least one heating means for a certain time interval ranging from 30 seconds to 4 minutes. In parallel, and during the previous steps of the pulse pattern, the drum inlet and / or outlet temperature is constantly monitored, so that the temperature detected by a first temperature detector is compared to a target temperature: in this case if said detected drum inlet and / or outlet temperature is greater than the target temperature, the CPU interrupts the signal to at least one device controller, and if the detected temperature is lower than said target temperature, the CPU will not interrupts the signal to at least one device controller, allowing said at least one device controller to energize and activate at least one trigger with the described pulse pattern, e.g. In this way, the previously described steps are repeated from the initial drying at least once or until the drying is completed. Once drying is complete, a cooling time is allowed and the cycle ends.

Thus, the aim of the present invention is to provide a versatile drying cycle for a dryer, which allows energy savings during the drying cycle, and depending on conditions within and within the dryer, allows variations of the drying cycle. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dryer that can perform a versatile drying cycle, which saves energy during the drying cycle, allowing variations, depending on the conditions of and within the dryer, for the drying cycle. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the textile dryer.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a system.

that can be adopted by the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a drying cycle flowchart according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3a is a flow chart of the drying cycle of

according to a first alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a flowchart of the drying cycle according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4a is a flow chart of the drying cycle according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a flow chart of the drying cycle according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method, specifically a cycle for reducing energy and / or gas consumption by an appliance, specifically a clothes dryer. The method of the present invention reduces the amount of heat, translated into energy consumed, which does not aid in the evaporation of water from textiles. The method can be divided into two distinct sub-methods or sub-cycles that occur in parallel.

Definitions

Use of the term "approximately" provides a certain additional range of time. The term is defined as follows. The additional time range provided by the term is approximately ± 10%. By way of example, but to a limited extent, if it is said "approximately between 30 and 40 seconds", the exact range is between 27 and 44 seconds, or it may be between 33 and 44 seconds, or it may be between 27 and 36 seconds. or between 33 and 36 seconds. Any of the previously described possibilities is covered by the term "approximately".

The term "Restriction" refers to possible restrictions encountered in the outflow of moist air emanating from the inner drum towards the outside. Possible constraints include outlet duct diameter size, outlet duct length, outlet duct fittings (elbows, reductions, valves, flow meters, iter alia), obstructions, and so on. The term "Gross Voltage" refers to voltage without

any kind of signal conditioning or digital signal processing, but at the simple voltage being measured.

The term "Filtered Voltage" refers to a voltage with signal conditioning and / or digital signal processing.

The term "temperature or target value" refers to a temperature measured by the temperature detector such as thermocouples or any other type of temperature measuring device, which may be placed at the inlet or outlet of the air flow or drum by Sending a signal to the CPU: The temperature range mentioned depends largely on the design and construction of the clothes dryer. such that its range is illustrative but not limiting and ranges from 38 ° C to 150 ° C, preferably from 5 ° C to 150 ° C above the temperature limit.

The term "temperature limits" refers to the temperature range for proper dryer operation as measured by the temperature detector such as thermocouples or any other temperature measuring device that may be placed at the inlet or outlet of the flow. air or drum by sending a signal to the CPU: the temperature range mentioned depends largely on the design and construction of the clothes dryer; such that its range is illustrative but not limiting and ranges from 37.77 ° C to 65.55 ° C (100 ° F to 150 ° F).

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a clothes dryer (10) according to the present invention. The dryer may include a main cabinet or housing (12), a front panel (14), a rear panel (16), a pair of side panels (18, 20) separated by the front and rear panels and a top cover ( 24). Within the main housing (12) is a drum or container (26) mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis. A motor (44) rotates the drum on the horizontal axis by means of, for example, a pulley (43) and a belt (45). The drum has a generally cylindrical shape; it has a perforated outer cylindrical wall (28) and is closed at its front by a wall (30) defining an opening (32) in the drum (26). Textile articles, such as clothing, are

introduced into the drum (26) through the opening (32). A plurality of tapping ribs (not shown) are found within the drum to lift the articles and subsequently allow them to be brought back to the bottom of the drum as the drum rotates. The drum (26) includes a rear wall (34) which is rotatably supported within the main housing (12) by a suitably fixed support. The rear wall (34) includes a plurality of hot air receiving holes (36) that have been treated by a heating means, such as a combustion chamber (38) and a rear duct (40). The combustion chamber (38) receives air at room temperature through the inlet (42). Even though the dryer (10) shown in Figure 1 is gas, the option of an electric dryer may also be considered, which contains heating resistance elements located in the heating chamber placed next to the outer perforated cylindrical wall (28), which replaces the combustion chamber (38) and the rear duct (40) of the gas dryer. The heated air is drawn from the drum (26) by a fan (48) which is driven by the motor (44). Air passes through a filter screen (46) which trap any type of felt particles. Then air passes through the filtering web (46), enters a sealed trap duct (47) and is passed outside the clothes dryer through an outlet duct (50). After the articles have been dried, they are removed from the drum (26) through the opening (32).

In a typical embodiment of this invention, a moisture detector (52) is used to predict the moisture content or drying level of the articles in the container. The moisture detector (52) typically comprises a separate pair of bars or electrodes and also comprises circuits for providing a voltage signal representation of the moisture content of the articles to an electronic controller (58) based on the electrical resistance or ohms of the electrodes. articles. The moisture detector (52) is located on the inner front wall of the filter screen (46) which is exposed to the outlet of the drum (26) and is alternatively mounted to the rear of the drum wall when it is in the rest phase. In some cases, the moisture detector is used on a deflector contained in the dryer drum. As an example, and not as a limitation, the signal from the detector may be chosen to provide a continuous representation of the moisture content of the articles within a suitable range to be processed by the electronic controller (58). It should be noted that the moisture content signal need not be a voltage signal, for example, by using a voltage that is controlled by an oscillator, the moisture indicator signal may be chosen as a voltage signal. frequency which varies proportionally with the moisture content of the articles in view of a signal whose voltage level varies proportionally with the moisture content of the articles.

When textiles are knocked into the dryer drum (26), they come into contact with the separate electrodes of the stationary moisture detector (52) at random. In this way, the textiles are intermittently in contact with the detector electrodes. The length of contact time between the textiles and detector electrodes depends on a number of factors, such as the drum's rotation speed, the type of textile, the amount or volume of clothing on the drum, and the air flow through the drum. When wet textiles are in the dryer drum and in contact with the detector electrodes, resistance across the detector is low. When textiles are dry and contact the detector electrodes, resistance across the detector is high and indicative of a dry charge. However, situations may occur which may result in incorrect indications of the actual drying level of the articles. For example, in a situation where wet textiles are not in contact with detectors, such as for a small load, the resistance across the detector is too high (open circuit), which would be falsely indicative of a dry load. In addition, if a conductive part of dry textiles such as a button or metal zipper contacts the detector electrodes, the detector resistance should be low, which would be falsely indicative of a wet charge. Thus, when textiles are damp, there may be times when the detector may erroneously detect a dry condition (high strength), and when textiles are dry, there may be times when the detector erroneously detect a wet condition (low strength).

As shown in Figure 2, the electronic controller (58) is also coupled with an inlet temperature detector (56), such as, for example, a thermostat. The inlet temperature detector (56) is mounted on the dryer (10) at the airflow inlet of the drum (26). The inlet temperature detector (56) detects the temperature entering the drum (26) and sends a corresponding temperature signal (58) to the electronic controller. The electronic controller is also coupled to the outlet temperature detector (54) which detects the air temperature leaving the drum (26) and sends a corresponding temperature signal to the electronic controller (58). The electronic controller is coupled to the outlet temperature detector (54) which detects the outlet air temperature of the drum (26) and sends a corresponding temperature signal to the electronic controller (58). The electronic controller (58) interprets these signals to generate an airflow parameter based on rising inlet temperature and / or a load size parameter based on rising outlet temperature. These parameters are used to select a desired humidity signal, which in turn is used by the electronic controller (58) in conjunction with the filtered voltage and / or noise reduction signal of the humidity detector (52) in order to control dryer operation (10).

The electronic controller (58) comprises an analog to digital (A / D) converter (60) for receiving the signal representations sent by the moisture detector (52) and the temperature detectors (56, 54). The signal representation of the A / D converter (60) and a counter / timer (78) is sent to a central processing unit (CPU) (66) for further signal processing which will be described in more detail below. The CPU (66) also receives the input and output temperature signals respectively from the temperature detectors (56, 54) respectively through two separate analog to digital (A / D) converters (62, 64). The CPU 66 receives power from a power source 68, and comprises one or more processing modules stored in a suitable memory device, such as a read-only ROM memory 70, to provide a percentage of humidity or degree of drying of the textile articles in the container as a function of the electrical resistance of the articles as well as to process past time and add more time. It should be noted that the memory device is not necessarily limited to ROM memory; Any type of memory device can be used, such as an erasable programmable memory device (EPROM) that stores instructions and facts, can also be operated effectively. Once it has been determined that the textile has reached a desired drying level, then the CPU sends respective signals to an input / output module (72) which in turn sends respective signals to de-energize the motor and / or the heating means drivers. . While the drying cycle is off, the control can trigger an alarm via an alarm enable / disable circuit to indicate the end of the cycle to the operator. An internal electronic phase and a display panel (82) allow the user to program the dryer operation and additionally allow monitoring of the respective cycle progress of a dryer operation.

The CPU 66 and ROM 70 may comprise a dryer processor. The processor estimates the retention time and controls the retention times of the dryer (10) based on a moisture signal received from the humidity detector (52). The processor filters the humidity signal and compares it to the desired humidity signal in order to control the operation of the dryer (10). There are many methods and systems for filtering the moisture signal. For more detailed information on filtering this signal, reference may be made to Canadian Patent Application No. 2,345,631 issued November 2, 2001. In accordance with the present invention, the processor may select a signal for target humidity with based on a target moisture table. Alternative methods for this selection may be chosen by fuzzy logic.

In addition, the electronic controller receives a signal from a pulse generator (74). This pulse generator, which may be by electrical, digital, mechanical or electro-mechanical means, where in a preferred embodiment a micro control is specifically preferred: in an alternative embodiment of said pulse generator, an electric motor (AC, Among others) can be coupled to a motor reducer or coupled directly to the shaft of at least one cam activating at least one pair of contacts (platinum): said pulse generator (74) is capable of send an ignition or de-energization signal (pulse train) to the CPU (70). The CPU processor (70) based on the temperature signal received by the input and / or output temperature detectors (56, 54) as well as the signal received from the counter and / or timer (78) is capable of sending a signal to the device controller (76) of each of the heating means actuators (8, 9) in order to energize or de-energize each of said heating means actuators (8, 9). Device controllers may be any type of electrical switch, such as a thyristor, IGBT, TRIAC (relay tripod), a relay, or any other type of electrical switch known in the art, which controls, in part, the powering or arrangement of device controllers for the heating means (8, 9). Conversely, it is understood that the concept of "actuators" encompasses any type of device or element that generates heat by any means, such as: a gas burner coupled to a solenoid valve or the like, an electrical resistor, an infrared device, laser, etc., as well as any combinations thereof; and that the heating means (8,9) comprise at least one actuator.

Thus, the object of the present invention is a drying cycle that reduces energy and / or gas consumption by a dryer. The drying cycle, which can be viewed as two distinct cycles (90, 120) that happen in parallel.

During the first drying cycle (90) the operator selects on the control panel (82) a drying cycle to be used. If within the options selected by the operator, the drying cycle, object of the present invention is selected (91), the limits (92) are modified, by means of the electronic controller (58), to reduce heat, said low temperature limits. range from 37.77 ° C to 65.55 ° C (100 ° F to 150 ° F). The limits having been modified (92), the drying cycle begins (93). In an alternative embodiment, the cycle determines whether it is a gas or electric dryer, or a combination of both. If it is determined to be gas or a gas combination, the type of gas dryer is determined to open a valve or gas actuator and ignite the gas, or rather to ignite the gas and energize the resistor (s). electric (s). If it is determined that it is not a gas dryer, the electrical resistance (s) are energized. Alternatively, these steps may be pre-programmed and stored in CPU memory 66 allowing the dryer type determination steps to be eliminated. All heating means (96) are turned on (8,9) producing the maximum gas flow through the valve or actuator such that the gas can be lit to generate as much heat as possible and / or to activate by means of one trigger, the resistors, such that all electrical resistors are triggered to their maximum level. Figure 3 shows a flowchart of the drying cycle.

according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this first preferred embodiment, the dryer heating means (8,9) are comprised of two actuators with at least one device controller (76) per actuator, and a drying method during the first dryer cycle (90) comprised. In determining whether, within the control panel options (82), the operator has selected (91) the drying cycle of the present invention, if so, by means of the electronic controller 58, the limits are modified (92) temperature of the heating means to reduce heat. Once the limits have been modified, the drying cycle is initiated (93) by sending a pulse to the device controllers (76) via the CPU (70) of the electronic controller (58) according to a pulse pattern received from the generator. (74), wherein said pulse pattern comprises: energizing (96) of all actuators by at least one of the heating means (8,9) for a first specified time interval ranging from approximately 10 seconds to 3 minutes, generating as much heat as possible. Once past this first

given time interval, de-energizing (97) the first driver of at least one of the heating means (8,9) for a second time interval ranging from 10 seconds to 4 minutes; once the second certain time interval has elapsed, de-energizing (98, 99) the second actuator of at least one of the heating means (8,9) for a third certain time interval ranging from approximately 30 seconds to 4 minutes. In parallel, and during the previous steps of the pulse pattern, drum inlet and / or outlet temperatures are constantly monitored (105) such that the temperature detected by a first temperature detector is compared (106) with a target temperature: In the event that said detected temperature is greater than the target temperature, the CPU (70) interrupts the signal to the device controllers (76), and in the event that the detected temperature is below the target temperature. , the CPU (70) does not interrupt the signal to the device controllers allowing said device controllers (76) to energize and activate the triggers with the described pulse pattern, and thus the previously described steps are repeated as follows. pp of initial drying (93) at least once or until drying is completed (107). Once drying is complete, it is allowed to cool down (108) and the cycle ends (109). In an alternative embodiment to the presently

which is shown in figure 3a during the cycle 90 described above in view of the different operating conditions such as: type, quantity, quality of textiles, restrictions on air outlet means, etc., and if As the temperature measured by the drum inlet and / or outlet temperature detectors (122) is greater than the target values, the CPU (70) interrupts the signal from the electronic controller (58) to a first heating means trigger (8, 9) by means of the corresponding device controller (76) to turn it off (123) and reduce the heat inside the dryer drum. If after a certain time interval (124) ranging from 500 milliseconds to one minute the temperature is still above (125) the previously set lower limit value, the CPU (70) interrupts the pulse signal or train from the generator. pulse (74) from the electronic controller (58) to the device controller of a second heating means driver (8, 9) to also turn it off (126) and to more rapidly reduce the heat inside the dryer drum , and in this case, repeat this successively until all heating means (8, 9) are switched off. The dryer still maintains operation (127) without heat generation until the temperature inside the drum measured by the temperature detector is below the target value, when the temperature is below the target value, the CPU ( 70) allows the pulse generator signal or pulse train to pass back to the heating device drivers device controllers, energizing them (130) according to the revolution or time position of the pulse profile that the generator generates. pulse is emitting right now; such that based on said signal, the CPU (70) of the electronic controller (58) determines (131) which heating means drivers are energized; such that the previous steps are repeated from the beginning of drying at least once or until drying is completed. Once drying is complete, a cooling time is allowed and the cycle is complete.

Figure 4 shows a flow chart of the drying cycle of a second preferred embodiment of the invention. In this second preferred embodiment, the dryer heating means (8, 9) are comprised of a number of "n" actuators with at least one device controller (76) per actuator, which may illustratively and non-limitably comprise a pair. of burners coupled to a valve which may adopt a multiplicity of positions which requires a multiplicity of solenoids to be controlled, or any other similar arrangement: thus the method of drying during a first cycle (90) of the dryer comprises: determination of If within the control panel options (82), the operator has selected (91) the drying cycle of the present invention, if so, by means of the electronic controller, the temperature limits of the heating means are modified (92). to reduce the heat. Once the limits have been modified, the first drying cycle is initiated by sending a pulse to the device controllers (76) via the CPU (70) of the electronic controller (58) according to a pulse pattern received from the generator. pulse (74), wherein said pulse pattern comprises: energizing (96) all "n" triggers of at least one type of heating medium (8, 9) for a given time interval ranging from approximately 10 seconds 3 minutes, generating as much heat as possible. Once said certain time interval, de-energizing (97) of a first actuator of at least one heating means (8,9), such that only a number of "n-1" actuators remain energized of at least one. one of the heating means for a given time interval ranging from 10 seconds to 4 minutes: after said certain time interval, immediate repetition of the previous step (97) the number of times required in order to consecutively de-energize all the actuators. at least one of the heating means (8, 9) until the number of energized actuators (98) is "n = 0". Once the last actuator of the at least one heating means (8, 9) is switched off, a certain time interval (99) is allowed to vary from approximately 30 seconds to 4 minutes. In parallel, and during the previous steps of the pulse pattern, the drum inlet and / or outlet temperature is constantly monitored (105) such that the temperature detected by a first temperature detector is compared (106) with a target temperature: if said detected temperature is higher than the target temperature, the CPU 70 interrupts the signal to the device controllers 76, and if the detected temperature is lower than the target temperature, the CPU ( 70) does not interrupt the signal to the device controllers (76), allowing said device controllers (76) to energize and activate the triggers with the described pulse pattern, and thus the previously described steps are repeated, from initial drying (93) at least once or until drying is completed (107). Once drying is complete, a cooling time (108) is allowed and the cycle ends (109). In an alternative embodiment to the presently described, shown in 4a, which is described as follows: if during cycle (90) described above in view of the different operating conditions such as: type, quantity, quality of textiles, restrictions air outlet means, etc., and the temperature measured by the drum inlet and / or outlet temperature detectors (122) is greater than the target values, the CPU (70) interrupts the signal from the electronic controller (58). ) to the device controller of a first heating means driver (n-1) by means of the corresponding device controller (76) to switch it off (123) and to reduce heat inside the dryer drum; If after a certain time interval (124) ranging from approximately 500 milliseconds to one minute, the temperature is even higher than (125) the target temperature, the CPU (70) interrupts the electronic controller (58) signal for one second. heating means actuator (n-2) to also turn it off (126) and reduce heat more rapidly inside the drum of the dryer drum, in which case step (126) is successively repeated as many times as necessary to the point where the CPU 70 interrupts the signal consecutively one by one for all device controllers and their respective heating means drivers (n = 0). The dryer maintains operation (127) without heat generation until the temperature inside the drum, measured by the temperature detector, is below the desired temperature. When the temperature is below the target temperature, the CPU (70) allows the pulse generator pulse pulse train (74) to pass back toward the device controller and the heating media drivers, energizing them (130) according to the turn or position of the pulse profile in the time the pulse generator is emitting at this moment; such that based on said signal, the CPU (70) of the electronic controller (58) determines (131) that the heating means drivers (8, 9) are energized; such that the previous steps are repeated from the beginning of drying at least once or until drying is completed. Once drying is complete, a cooling time is allowed and the cycle is complete.

Figure 5 shows a flow chart of the drying cycle of a third embodiment of the invention. In this third embodiment, a dryer heating means (8,9) is composed of at least one driver with at least one device controller (76) by at least one driver, and the drying method during the first cycle (90). ) comprises: determining (91) whether within the control panel options (82), the operator has selected the drying cycle of the present invention, if so by means of the electronic controller (58), the The temperature of the heating means is modified (92) to reduce heating. Once the limits have been modified, the first drying cycle (93) is initiated by sending a pulse to the device controllers (76) via the CPU (70) electronic controller (58) according to a received pulse pattern. of the pulse generator (74), wherein said pulse pattern comprises: energizing (96) of at least one driver of at least one of the heating means (8, 9) to their maximum power for a given time interval varying. approximately 50 to 80 seconds, generating as much heat as possible. Once said certain time interval has been de-energized (98, 99) of at least one actuator of the at least one heating means (8,9) for a certain time interval ranging from 30 seconds to 4 minutes. In parallel, and during the previous steps of the pulse pattern, the drum inlet and / or outlet temperature is constantly monitored (105) such that the temperature detected by a first temperature detector is compared (106) with a target temperature: if said detected drum inlet and / or outlet temperature is greater than the target temperature, the CPU (70) interrupts the signal to at least one device controller (76), and in the case of the temperature detected lower than said target temperature, the CPU (70) does not interrupt the signal to the at least one device controller (76), allowing said at least one device controller (76) to energize and activate at least one trigger with the described pulse pattern, and thus the previously described steps are repeated from the initial drying (93) at least once or until the drying is completed (107). Once drying is complete, a cooling time is allowed and the cycle ends (109).

0 energy use during both drying cycles

Parallels 90, 120 depend on the condition of the elements, especially the heating means 8,9 during the drying cycle. Similarly, it highly depends on the moisture level of the clothes in the drum (26). The wetter the textiles, the longer the textiles will reach a load drying level, and the longer the heating means and air drying (8, 9) will be on. The energy consumption of a dryer in the United States is measured by the DOE procedure which establishes a calculation for measuring an Energy Factor (EF) with a minimum standard of 1.363 Kg / kWh (3.01 Ib / kWh) in electric dryers and a 1.209 Kg / kWh (2.67 lb / kWh) for gas dryers.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, it is calculated that from the total operation time of the dryer (10), both heating means (8,9) are connected approximately from 5 to 80% of the total operation time. It is estimated that of the total operating time for dryer 10, one of the two heating means (8, 9) is on approximately 10 to 80% of the total operating time of dryer. Finally, it is estimated that from the total operating time for dryer 10, both heating means (8, 9) are switched off approximately between 10 and 85% of the total operating time. The energy use savings achieved by the above mentioned cycles (90, 120), especially in the first cycle (90) are between 10 and 20% of the DOE standard, with a 95% confidence level using the DOE procedure. which represents energy savings ranging from 90 to 160 kWh / year.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, it is calculated that from the total operating time of the dryer (10), the heating means (8,9) are connected to approximately 30 to 50% of the total operating time. It is estimated that from the total operating time for the dryer (10), the heating means (8, 9) are switched off approximately between 20 to 80% of the total operating time of the dryer. The energy use savings achieved by the above mentioned cycles (90, 120), especially in the first cycle (90) are between 10 and 15% of the DOE standard, with a 95% confidence level using the DOE procedure. which represents energy savings ranging from 90 to 127 kWh / year.

Changes in the structure described in this report can be predicted by those skilled in the field. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure relates to preferred embodiments of the invention which are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. All modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are included in the body of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

A method of drying in a tumble dryer comprising at least one electronic controller, a pulse generator, at least one temperature detector, an operator interface and at least one heating means with at least one actuator. device controller per trigger, characterized in that it comprises sending a pulse to the device controllers via the electronic controller, according to a pulse pattern received from the pulse generator, wherein the pulse pattern comprises the steps of: The. energizing all actuators of at least one heating medium for a first specified period of time; B. de-energizing a driver from at least one heating medium for a second period of time; ç. de-energizing another actuator of at least one heating means for a specified third period of time; d. comparing, during the previous steps, the temperature detected by a first temperature detector versus a target temperature; and. if the detected temperature is greater than the target temperature, signal interruption to the device drivers; f. if the detected temperature is lower than the target temperature, no signal interruption to the device drivers; and g. repeating steps (a) to (d) at least once. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: determining whether the energy saving (echo) setting has been selected at the interface by the operator; and - modifying the temperature limits of the heating means to reduce heat by means of control; before the energization step of all the triggers. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pulse generator is selected from a microcontroller, an electro-mechanical or digital pulse generator. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first determined period of time varies from 10 seconds to 3 minutes, where the second determined period of time varies from 10 seconds to 4 minutes and where the third determined period of time varies. between 30 seconds and 4 minutes. 5. Drying method in a tumble dryer comprising at least one electronic controller, a pulse generator, at least one temperature detector, an operator interface and at least one heating means with at least one "n" actuator. device controller per trigger, characterized in that it comprises sending a pulse to the device controllers via the electronic controller, according to a pulse pattern received from the pulse generator, wherein the pulse pattern comprises the steps of: The. energizing all actuators of at least one heating medium for a first specified period of time; B. de-energizing a driver of the at least one heating medium for a second period of time n-1; ç. repeating step (b) to n = 0; d. comparing, during the previous steps, the temperature detected by a first temperature detector versus a target temperature; and. if the detected temperature is greater than the target temperature, signal interruption to the device drivers; f. if the detected temperature is lower than the target temperature, no signal interruption to the device drivers; and g. repeating steps (a) to (d) at least once. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: determining whether the energy saving (echo) setting has been selected at the interface by the operator; and - modifying the temperature limits of the heating means to reduce heat by means of control; before the energization step of all the triggers. Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that the pulse generator is selected from a microcontroller, an electro-mechanical or digital pulse generator. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the first determined period of time varies from 10 seconds to 3 minutes, where the second determined period of time ranges from 10 seconds to 4 minutes and where the third determined period of time varies. between 30 seconds and 4 minutes. A method of drying in a tumble dryer comprising at least one electronic controller, a pulse generator, at least one temperature detector, at least one thermal switch, at least one heating means with at least one "n" actuator. device controller per driver, an operator interface where the thermal switch is serially connected on an AC line prior to each device controller, which comprises sending a pulse to the device controllers via the controller according to a pulse pattern received from the pulse generator, where the pulse pattern comprises the steps of: a. energizing all actuators of at least one heating medium for a first specified period of time; B. de-energizing a driver of the at least one heating medium for a second period of time n-1; ç. repeating step (b) to n = 0; d. comparing, during the previous steps, the temperature detected by a first temperature detector versus a target temperature; and. if the detected temperature is greater than the target temperature, signal interruption to the device drivers; f. if the detected temperature is lower than the target temperature, no signal interruption to the device drivers; g. repeating steps (a) to (d) at least once; and where the thermal switch is opened in case the detected temperature is greater than a certain overpulse temperature. A tumble dryer comprising at least one electronic controller, at least one temperature detector, an operator interface and at least one heating means with at least one actuator, at least one device controller per actuator, a pulse generator comprising an electric motor (AC, DC or stepping, among others) which may be coupled to a motor reducer or coupled directly to the shaft of at least one cam activating at least one pair of contacts (platinum); said pulse generator is capable of sending a power on or off signal (pulse train) to the CPU, characterized in that it further comprises: a drying method comprising sending a pulse to the device controllers via electronic controller according to a pulse pattern received from the pulse generator, where the pulse pattern comprises the steps of: a. energizing all actuators of at least one heating medium for a first specified period of time; B. de-energizing a driver from at least one heating medium for a second period of time; ç. de-energizing another actuator of at least one of the heating means for a third specified period of time; d. comparing, during the previous steps, the temperature detected by a first temperature detector versus a target temperature; and. if the detected temperature is greater than the target temperature, signal interruption to the device drivers; f. if the detected temperature is lower than the target temperature, no signal interruption to the device drivers; and g. repeating steps (a) to (d) at least once.