CN107447464B

CN107447464B - Clothes dryer

Info

Publication number: CN107447464B
Application number: CN201710349316.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 田中豪; 青山阳一; 藤井康平
Original assignee: Rinnai Corp
Current assignee: Rinnai Corp
Priority date: 2016-05-30
Filing date: 2017-05-17
Publication date: 2021-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-17
Also published as: CN107447464A; KR20170135732A; JP6735151B2; KR102313642B1; HK1243150A1; JP2017213068A

Abstract

The invention provides a clothes dryer which can prevent clothes in a clothes accommodating cylinder from being excessively exposed to high temperature, thereby preventing the clothes in the clothes accommodating cylinder from being damaged. After the drying operation is started, the control device executes clogging correction processing (S50-S66) and sets correction values according to the blowing temperature. Specifically, in the case where the blowing temperature is in the range of 140 ℃ or more, the correction values are set to values larger than 0(S52, S56, S62). When a predetermined period has elapsed since the drying operation, the control device calculates each set value that becomes the reference for turning on and off the burner, based on each correction value set at the time point when the predetermined period has elapsed. Then, the drying operation is continued in accordance with the determined set values. That is, when the blowing temperature at the time point when the predetermined period has elapsed is 140 ℃ or more, each set value becomes lower than the initial value.

Description

Clothes dryer

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a clothes dryer.

Background

In patent document 1, there is disclosed a clothes dryer having: a laundry accommodation drum (drum) which accommodates laundry; a burner (burner) for heating air to be supplied from the outside into the laundry storage tub; a blowing temperature sensor for detecting a blowing temperature which is a temperature of air heated by the burner and before being transferred into the laundry accommodation tub; and a control device. In the clothes dryer, a lint filter for preventing lint (lint) generated in the clothes storage drum from being discharged to the outside is provided in an exhaust path for discharging air from the inside of the clothes storage drum to the outside.

In general, when the lint filter is clogged with lint, the amount of air passing through the laundry accommodating drum is reduced. As a result, the blowing temperature becomes higher than before the lint filter is clogged. In the clothes dryer of patent document 1, the control device monitors the blowing temperature detected by the blowing temperature sensor after the drying operation is started by operating the fan and the burner, determines whether or not the lint filter is clogged, and performs the notification operation when the lint filter is clogged.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 6-319898

Disclosure of Invention

In the case where the lint filter is clogged, the lint filter may not be quickly cleaned, and the drying operation may be continued in this state. In such a case, the blowing temperature becomes high, and along with this, the laundry in the laundry accommodation tub is excessively exposed to a high temperature, and may be damaged.

In the present specification, a clothes dryer is disclosed to be capable of suppressing laundry in a laundry receiving drum from being excessively exposed to a high temperature, thereby suppressing damage of the laundry in the laundry receiving drum.

The dryer disclosed in this specification has: a laundry accommodating drum for accommodating laundry; a fan for conveying air from the outside into the clothes receiving cylinder; a burner for heating air to be supplied into the laundry storage drum; a blowing temperature sensor for detecting a blowing temperature which is a temperature of air heated by the burner and before being transferred into the laundry accommodation tub; a related temperature detection means for detecting a related temperature related to the temperature in the laundry accommodation drum; and a control device. After the drying operation is started by operating the burner and the fan, the control device stops the burner when the correlated temperature detected by the correlated temperature detecting means exceeds a predetermined off threshold, and operates the burner again when the correlated temperature detected by the correlated temperature detecting means is lower than a predetermined on threshold lower than the off threshold after the burner is stopped, and lowers the off threshold when specified: the drying device is configured to start the drying operation, and at least one of a case where a temperature detected by the blowing temperature sensor at a time point when a predetermined period has elapsed exceeds a predetermined blowing temperature threshold value and a case where an increase in the blowing temperature from the time point when the drying operation is started to the time point when the predetermined period has elapsed exceeds a predetermined increase threshold value.

The above-described clothes dryer keeps the relevant temperature at a temperature equal to or higher than the on threshold and equal to or lower than the off threshold by stopping the burner when the relevant temperature exceeds the predetermined off threshold after the drying operation is started and operating the burner again when the relevant temperature is lower than the predetermined on threshold after the burner is stopped, thereby suppressing the relevant temperature from being maintained at an excessively high temperature. Moreover, the laundry dryer reduces the cut-off threshold under a specific condition, wherein the specific condition is that: and a drying device configured to start the drying operation, wherein the blowing temperature detected by the blowing temperature sensor at a time point when a predetermined period has elapsed exceeds a predetermined blowing temperature threshold value, and the blowing temperature detected by the blowing temperature sensor at a time point when the drying operation has started to the time point when the predetermined period has elapsed exceeds a predetermined increase threshold value. Therefore, for example, in the case where the blowing temperature exceeds the predetermined blowing temperature threshold (and/or the amount of increase in the blowing temperature exceeds the predetermined amount of increase threshold) due to clogging of a lint filter or the like provided on the exhaust path for discharging the air from the inside of the laundry accommodation tub to the outside, the burner can be stopped relatively early. Therefore, for example, when the blowing temperature exceeds the predetermined blowing temperature threshold (and/or the amount of increase in the blowing temperature exceeds the predetermined amount of increase threshold) due to clogging of the lint filter or the like, it is possible to suppress an excessive increase in the relevant temperature. Therefore, according to the above-described clothes dryer, it is possible to suppress the laundry in the laundry receiving drum from being excessively exposed to a high temperature, thereby being able to suppress the laundry in the laundry receiving drum from being damaged.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a dryer 2.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing a main process by control device 70.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a clogging correction process by the control device 70.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a course determination process and a laundry temperature adjustment process by control device 70.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the exhaust gas temperature adjustment process by control device 70.

Fig. 6 is a graph showing transition of the laundry temperature, the exhaust air temperature, the blowing temperature, and the electrode detection state in the case of performing the drying operation by the dryer of the comparative example.

Fig. 7 is a graph showing transition of the laundry temperature, the exhaust air temperature, the blowing temperature, and the electrode detection state in the case of performing the drying operation by the dryer 2 of the embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

2: a clothes dryer; 4: a box body; 6: a door; 10: a laundry accommodating drum; 10 a: a front surface opening; 10 b: a rear surface opening; 12: a motor; 14: a fan; 16: a lint filter; 20: an exhaust port; 22: an exhaust temperature thermistor; 30: a burner; 32: a gas supply pipe; 34: an electromagnetic valve; 36: a blowing port; 40: blowing a temperature thermistor; 50: an electrode; 60: a clothing temperature thermistor; 70: a control device; c: clothes.

Detailed Description

The main features of the embodiments described below are listed in advance. The technical elements described below are independent technical elements and exhibit technical usefulness by themselves or in various combinations, but are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing.

(feature 1) the preferable specific cases also include the following cases: after the drying operation is started, the related temperature detected by the related temperature detecting means exceeds the off threshold before a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

For example, in a case where the drying operation is temporarily stopped and the drying operation is restarted in accordance with an instruction from the user, the related temperature may exceed the off threshold before a predetermined period of time elapses after the drying operation is started. According to the above configuration, even when such a situation occurs, the off threshold can be lowered without waiting for the predetermined period to elapse. Therefore, the laundry in the laundry storage drum can be appropriately prevented from being damaged regardless of the drying operation state.

(feature 2) preferably, the control device further lowers the on threshold in a specific case.

According to this structure, the dryer can lower the off threshold, and also can lower the on threshold. Therefore, the temperature in the laundry storing drum can be maintained at a temperature suitable for drying the laundry while suppressing an excessive increase in the number of repetitions of the operation and stop of the burner.

(feature 3) preferably, the related temperature includes an air temperature after passing through the laundry accommodation drum, that is, an exhaust temperature. Preferably, the related temperature detection means includes an exhaust gas temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the exhaust gas. Preferably, the cutoff threshold includes a predetermined cutoff exhaust gas temperature threshold as the threshold of the exhaust gas temperature. Preferably, the on threshold includes a predetermined on exhaust temperature threshold which is an exhaust temperature threshold lower than the off exhaust temperature threshold.

According to this structure, the dryer can lower the cut-off exhaust temperature threshold under certain conditions. Therefore, excessive rise of the exhaust temperature can be suppressed, and accordingly, excessive exposure of the laundry in the laundry accommodation drum to high temperature can be suppressed, and thereby damage to the laundry in the laundry accommodation drum can be suppressed.

(feature 4) preferably, the related temperature includes a temperature of laundry in the laundry accommodation drum, i.e., a laundry temperature. Preferably, the associated temperature detecting means includes a clothes temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the clothes. Preferably, the cutoff threshold includes a predetermined cutoff laundry temperature threshold as the laundry temperature threshold. Preferably, the on threshold includes a predetermined on clothes temperature threshold which is a clothes temperature threshold lower than the off clothes temperature threshold.

According to this structure, the dryer can lower the cut-off laundry temperature threshold under certain circumstances. Therefore, the excessive rise of the temperature of the laundry can be suppressed, and the laundry in the laundry accommodation tube can be suppressed from being excessively exposed to the high temperature, thereby suppressing the laundry in the laundry accommodation tube from being damaged.

(examples)

(Structure of dryer 2; fig. 1)

As shown in fig. 1, the dryer 2 of the present embodiment has a cabinet 4, a door 6, a laundry receiving drum 10, a fan 14, a burner 30, and a control device 70.

The cabinet 4 is a main body of the dryer 2. The above-described components of the dryer 2 are housed in a cabinet 4. A display unit and an operation unit (not shown) are provided on the front surface (left side in fig. 1) of the casing 4. The display unit is a display for displaying various information. The operation unit has a plurality of buttons. The user can input various instructions to the dryer 2 through the operation unit. The door 6 is a door provided on the front surface of the cabinet 4.

The laundry accommodation drum 10 is a container that accommodates laundry C as a drying target. The laundry receiving drum 10 is rotated by the motor 12. A front opening 10a is opened on the front surface side of the laundry accommodation tub 10, and the front opening 10a is closed by the door 6. The user of the dryer 2 opens the door 6, and can put the laundry C into the laundry accommodation drum 10 through the front opening 10a and take the laundry C out of the laundry accommodation drum 10. Further, a blow port 36 is opened on the front surface side of the laundry accommodation tub 10 and on the side of the front surface opening 10a, and the blow port 36 is used for blowing the air heated by the burner 30 into the laundry accommodation tub 10.

The electrodes 50 and the laundry temperature thermistor 60 are provided in the laundry accommodation drum 10. The electrodes 50 detect moisture contained in the laundry C. The laundry temperature thermistor 60 detects the temperature of the laundry C (hereinafter, referred to as "laundry temperature") in the laundry accommodation drum 10. As the laundry receiving drum 10 rotates, the laundry C comes into contact with the electrodes 50 and the laundry temperature thermistor 60, and accordingly, the electrodes 50 can detect moisture of the laundry C and the laundry temperature thermistor 60 can detect the temperature of the laundry. Further, a weight sensor, not shown, is provided in the laundry accommodation drum 10. The weight sensor detects the weight of the laundry C in the laundry accommodation drum 10.

Further, a rear opening 10b is opened on the rear surface side (right side in fig. 1) of the laundry accommodation tub 10. The rear surface opening 10b is closed by the lint filter 16. The lint filter 16 is a filter for collecting lint (lint) generated from the laundry C or the like in the laundry accommodating drum 10. The lint filter 16 allows air to pass therethrough, but traps lint contained in the air without allowing the lint to pass therethrough.

The fan 14 is disposed at the rear side of the laundry accommodation drum 10. By operating fan 14, air is sent into laundry accommodation drum 10 from the outside of cabinet 4 (see arrows W1 to W3 in fig. 1), and air in laundry accommodation drum 10 can be sent out to exhaust port 20 (see arrows W4 to W6 in fig. 1), where exhaust port 20 is formed in the upper surface of cabinet 4 and located near the rear surface (right side in fig. 1). The exhaust temperature thermistor 22 is provided near the exhaust port 20, and detects the temperature of the air sent from the inside of the clothing storage tube 10 to the exhaust port 20 (hereinafter, may be referred to as "exhaust temperature").

The burner 30 is disposed below the laundry accommodation drum 10. The burner 30 heats the air sent into the clothing storing tube 10 from the outside through the blow port 36 by combustion heat generated by burning the gas (see arrow W3). The gas as the fuel is supplied to the burner 30 through the gas supply pipe 32. The gas supply pipe 32 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 34 for opening and closing the gas supply pipe 32. A blowing temperature thermistor 40 is provided between the burner 30 and the blowing port 36. The blowing temperature thermistor 40 is a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the air heated by the burner 30 (i.e., the air (see arrow W3) sent from the blowing port 36 into the laundry accommodation tub 10) (hereinafter referred to as "blowing temperature").

The control device 70 is electrically connected to each component in the cabinet 4 of the dryer 2, and controls the operation of each component.

(action of the dryer 2)

Next, the operation of the dryer 2 of the present embodiment will be described. The user puts the laundry C into the laundry storing tub 10, inputs a predetermined drying start operation through an operation unit (not shown) of the dryer 2, and then the dryer 2 performs a drying operation. While the drying operation is being executed, the control device 70 executes each process shown in fig. 2 to 5.

(Main treatment; FIG. 2)

Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by the control device 70 in the drying operation of the dryer 2. When the drying start operation is input to the operation unit, the control device 70 starts the main process of fig. 2. At S10, control device 70 rotates motor 12 and fan 14, and operates burner 30. Accordingly, the drying operation is started. Hereinafter, the operation of the burner 30 (i.e., the state of combustion) may be referred to as "turning on the burner 30", and the stop of the burner 30 (i.e., the state of extinction) may be referred to as "turning off the burner 30".

Next, control device 70 sets the duty ratio at this point in time (current stage) to the mode 1. Here, the "duty ratio" is a ratio of a period during which the burner 30 is on (hereinafter referred to as an "on period") and a period during which the burner 30 is off (hereinafter referred to as an "off period") in a predetermined unit period (60 seconds in the present embodiment). As will be described in detail later, after the drying operation is started in S10 and the exhaust gas temperature exceeds a predetermined exhaust gas temperature off setting value, the control device 70 performs exhaust gas temperature adjustment control for switching the burner 30 on and off according to the duty ratio (see fig. 5). The duty ratio has a plurality of preset patterns (see fig. 5). For example, in pattern 1, the on period is 50 seconds, and the off period is 10 seconds within 60 seconds of the unit period. In pattern 2, the on period is 45 seconds, and the off period is 15 seconds. In pattern 3, the on period is 40 seconds, and the off period is 20 seconds. Thus, each mode is set to: the on period becomes shorter and the off period becomes longer every 1 rank of the numerical value of the pattern. In S12, control device 70 sets the duty ratio to mode 1.

Next, in S14, the control device 70 determines in advance the operation course (operation course) of the drying operation based on the weight of the laundry C in the laundry accommodation tub 10 and the dehydration degree of the laundry C, and determines whether or not the result is rated. The weight of the laundry C is detected by a weight sensor (not shown) in the laundry accommodation drum 10. The dehydration degree of the laundry C is calculated from the frequency of detecting the moisture of the laundry C by the electrodes 50. If the weight and the dehydration degree of laundry C are within the predetermined rated ranges, controller 70 determines that the result of the preliminary determination of the operation progress is rated. In this case, the controller 70 determines YES in S14 and proceeds to S16. On the other hand, when the weight and the dehydration degree of laundry C are outside the predetermined rated ranges (for example, when laundry C is too much or too little (excessive or small amount), when laundry C has already been dried to some extent (high dehydration), or the like), controller 70 determines that the result of the preliminary determination of the operation schedule is not rated. In this case, the controller 70 determines NO in S14 and proceeds to S18.

At S16 and S18, control device 70 sets respective initial values of a laundry temperature off initial value (off control laundry temperature initial value), a laundry temperature on initial value (on control laundry temperature initial value), an exhaust temperature off initial value (off control exhaust temperature initial value), and an exhaust temperature on initial value (on control exhaust temperature initial value). Here, the "laundry temperature off initial value" is an initial set value of the laundry temperature, which becomes a reference for turning off the burner 30 after the drying operation is started. The "initial value for the clothes temperature on" is an initial set value of the clothes temperature, and is a reference for turning on the burner 30 again after the burner 30 is temporarily turned off. The "exhaust temperature cutoff initial value" is an initial set value of the exhaust temperature, which becomes a reference for turning off the burner 30 after the drying operation is started. The "initial value of the exhaust temperature on" is an initial set value of the exhaust temperature, and is a reference for turning on the burner 30 again after turning off the burner 30 temporarily. The values of the initial values set in the case of S16 and the case of S18 are different.

In S16, the laundry temperature off initial value and the laundry temperature on initial value are set to 90 ℃ and 80 ℃, respectively. The exhaust temperature off initial value and the exhaust temperature on initial value are set to 72 ℃ and 71 ℃, respectively.

On the other hand, in S18, the laundry temperature off initial value and the laundry temperature on initial value are set to 85 ℃ and 75 ℃, respectively. The exhaust temperature off initial value and the exhaust temperature on initial value are set to 70 ℃ and 68 ℃, respectively.

Next, at S20, control device 70 performs initial setting of each of the correction values of the clothing temperature off correction value, the clothing temperature on correction value, the exhaust temperature off correction value, and the exhaust temperature on correction value. At the time point of S20, any correction value is set to 0. Here, the "laundry temperature cutoff correction value" is a value for correcting the above-described laundry temperature cutoff initial value and calculating a laundry temperature cutoff set value, which is a set value of the laundry temperature that becomes a reference for turning off the burner 30 after the drying operation is started. The "clothes temperature on correction value" is a value for correcting the above-described clothes temperature on initial value and calculating a clothes temperature on setting value which is a reference clothes temperature for turning on the burner 30 again after turning off the burner 30 temporarily. The "exhaust temperature cutoff correction value" is a value for correcting the exhaust temperature cutoff initial value, which is a set value of the exhaust temperature that becomes a reference for cutting off the burner 30 after the drying operation is started, and calculating the exhaust temperature cutoff set value. The "exhaust temperature on correction value" is a value for correcting the above exhaust temperature on initial value to calculate an exhaust temperature on set value that is a reference exhaust temperature for turning the burner 30 on again after the burner 30 is turned off once.

Next, in S22, control device 70 calculates each of the clothes temperature off set value, the clothes temperature on set value, the exhaust temperature off set value, and the exhaust temperature on set value. The laundry temperature cut-off set value is a value obtained by subtracting the laundry temperature cut-off correction value from the laundry temperature cut-off initial value. The laundry temperature on setting value is a value obtained by subtracting the laundry temperature on correction value from the laundry temperature on initial value. The exhaust temperature cutoff set value is a value obtained by subtracting the exhaust temperature cutoff correction value from the exhaust temperature cutoff initial value. The exhaust temperature on set value is a value obtained by subtracting an exhaust temperature on correction value from an exhaust temperature on initial value. In S22 immediately after the drying operation is started in S10, the correction values are set to 0(S20), and therefore the set values are the same as the initial values set in S16 or S18.

Next, the control device 70 performs each monitoring of S24, S26, S28. In S24, the controller 70 monitors whether or not the exhaust gas temperature detected by the exhaust gas temperature thermistor 22 is equal to or higher than the exhaust gas temperature cutoff set value (S22) before a predetermined period (2 minutes and 30 seconds in the present embodiment) elapses after the drying operation is started in S10. If the exhaust temperature is equal to or higher than the exhaust temperature cutoff set value before the predetermined period has elapsed, the control device 70 determines YES at S24, and executes each process from S110 to S of fig. 5 (hereinafter referred to as "exhaust temperature adjustment process"). For example, if the air in the laundry storage tub 10 is already at a sufficiently high temperature at the time point immediately after the start of the drying operation, such as when the drying operation is executed again immediately after the end of the previous drying operation, S24 may be determined as YES.

In S26, control device 70 monitors: at S10, the laundry temperature detected by laundry temperature thermistor 60 is equal to or higher than the laundry temperature off setting value (S22) before the predetermined period of time elapses after the drying operation is started. If the temperature of the laundry is equal to or higher than the laundry temperature off setting value before the predetermined period has elapsed, controller 70 determines YES at S26, and executes each process of S94 to S98, S88, and S90 in fig. 4 (hereinafter referred to as "laundry temperature adjustment process"). For example, if laundry C has been at a sufficiently high temperature at the time point immediately after the start of the drying operation, such as in the case where the drying operation is performed again without the laundry being taken out immediately after the end of the previous drying operation, YES may be determined in S26.

At S28, the controller 70 monitors that a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the drying operation is started at S10. When it is determined as NO in both steps S24 and S26 after the drying operation is started in S10 and the predetermined period has not elapsed, the controller 70 determines as NO in S28 and executes each process from S50 and thereafter in fig. 3 (hereinafter referred to as "clogging correction process"). On the other hand, when the predetermined period has elapsed in the state where both steps S24 and S26 determine that NO is present after the drying operation is started in S10, control device 70 determines YES in S28 and executes the processes from S80 to S86 in fig. 4 (hereinafter referred to as "progress determination process").

(clogging correction treatment; FIG. 3)

The content of the jam correction process will be described with reference to fig. 3. In S50, the control device 70 determines whether or not the blowing temperature detected by the blowing temperature thermistor 40 is 140 ℃ or more and less than 160 ℃. If the blowing temperature at this time point is in the range of 140 ℃ or more and less than 160 ℃, the control device 70 determines YES in S50 and proceeds to S52. When the lint filter 16 is clogged with lint, the air volume of the air flowing through the ventilation path of the dryer 2 decreases, and the blowing temperature increases accordingly. In the case where the lint filter 16 is substantially not clogged, normally, the blowing temperature is maintained in a range of less than 140 ℃, but when the lint filter 16 is clogged, the blowing temperature rises to 140 ℃ or more. Further, as the clogging degree of the lint filter 16 becomes higher, the blowing temperature also becomes higher. In S52, control device 70 sets the correction values again. At S52, the clothing temperature off correction value is set to 10, the clothing temperature on correction value is set to 10, the exhaust temperature off correction value is set to 5, and the exhaust temperature on correction value is set to 5. When S52 ends, the process proceeds to S54. On the other hand, if the blowing temperature is out of the range of 140 ℃ or more and less than 160 ℃, the control device 70 determines NO in S50, skips S52, and proceeds to S54.

In S54, the controller 70 determines whether or not the blowing temperature is 160 ℃ or higher and less than 180 ℃. If the blowing temperature at this point in time is in the range of 160 ℃ or more and less than 180 ℃, the controller 70 determines YES in S54 and proceeds to S56. In S56, control device 70 resets each correction value. At S56, the clothing temperature off correction value is set to 15, the clothing temperature on correction value is set to 20, the exhaust temperature off correction value is set to 10, and the exhaust temperature on correction value is set to 10. When S56 ends, the process proceeds to S58. On the other hand, if the blowing temperature is out of the range of 160 ℃ or more and less than 180 ℃, the controller 70 determines NO in S54, skips S56, and proceeds to S58.

In S58, the controller 70 determines whether or not the blowing temperature is 180 ℃ or higher and less than 200 ℃. If the blowing temperature at this time point is in the range of 180 ℃ or more and less than 200 ℃, the control device 70 determines YES in S58 and proceeds to S60. In S60, control device 70 turns on a notification lamp provided on a display portion on the front surface of casing 4. Accordingly, a user observing the notification light can know that the lint filter 16 is now clogged and needs to be cleaned. In next S62, control device 70 resets each correction value. At S62, the clothing temperature off correction value is set to 20, the clothing temperature on correction value is set to 30, the exhaust temperature off correction value is set to 15, and the exhaust temperature on correction value is set to 15. When S62 ends, the process proceeds to S64. On the other hand, when the blowing temperature is out of the range of 180 ℃ or more and less than 200 ℃, the control device 70 determines NO in S58, skips S60 and S62, and proceeds to S64.

In S64, the control device 70 determines whether or not the blowing temperature is 200 ℃. If the blowing temperature at this point in time is 200 ℃ or higher, the control device 70 determines YES in S64, and proceeds to S66, where it is determined that the drying operation is faulty and stopped. In this case, control device 70 stops motor 12 and fan 14 and turns off burner 30. When S66 ends, control device 70 determines that the drying operation is faulty and ends it. On the other hand, if the blowing temperature is not 200 ℃ or higher, the controller 70 determines NO in S64 and returns to S22 in fig. 2. That is, at S22, controller 70 recalculates the set values using the correction values set at the time points (S20, and any one of S52, S56, and S62 in fig. 3). Then, the drying operation is continued in accordance with the re-calculated set values.

That is, in the present embodiment, until the predetermined period elapses since the determination at S24 and S26 is NO, the control device 70 repeatedly executes the clogging correction process (see fig. 3), updates the set values as needed using the latest set correction values during the period (S22 in fig. 2), and continues the drying operation.

(course judging process and clothes temperature adjusting process; FIG. 4)

The contents of the course determination process (S80 to S86) and the laundry temperature adjustment process (S94 to S98, S88, and S90) will be described with reference to fig. 4. In the present embodiment, the course determination process (S80 to S86) is executed only once when the predetermined period has elapsed since the determination in S24 and S26 in fig. 2 was NO, and the process then proceeds to the laundry temperature adjustment process (S88, S90, S94 to S98).

At S80, controller 70 determines the operation progress of the drying operation based on the weight of laundry C in laundry accommodation drum 10 and the dehydration degree of laundry C (main determination), and determines whether or not the result is rated. The processing content of S80 is the same as S14 of fig. 2, and therefore, detailed description is omitted. If it is determined that the determination result of the operation schedule is the rated one (YES in S80), control device 70 proceeds to S82. On the other hand, if it is determined that the determination result of the operation schedule is not the rated one (NO in S80), control device 70 proceeds to S84.

At S82 and S84, control device 70 resets each of the initial values of the laundry temperature off initial value, the laundry temperature on initial value, the exhaust temperature off initial value, and the exhaust temperature on initial value. The processing of S82, S84 is the same processing as that of S16, S18, respectively.

Next, in S86, the controller 70 calculates each set value in the same manner as in S20. At S86, controller 70 calculates each set value by subtracting each correction value (see S20 in fig. 2, S52, S56, and S62 in fig. 3) set at a time point (YES in S28) when a predetermined period has elapsed since it was determined that NO at S24 and S26 in fig. 2 from each initial value set at S82 or S84. In the present embodiment, when the predetermined period has elapsed (YES in S28), the jam correction processing (fig. 3) is not executed, and the correction values are determined. Then, the respective set values are determined by executing the progress determination process (fig. 4) (S86). Thereafter, the drying operation is continued in accordance with the respective set values determined in S86. When S86 ends, control device 70 performs the laundry temperature adjustment process (S88, S90, S94 to S98).

The control device 70 performs the monitoring of S88, S90. In S88, control device 70 monitors that the exhaust gas temperature is equal to or higher than the exhaust gas temperature cutoff set value. When the exhaust temperature is equal to or higher than the exhaust temperature cutoff set value, control device 70 determines YES at S88 and executes the processing subsequent to S110 in fig. 5 (i.e., the exhaust temperature adjustment processing). In this case, the laundry temperature adjustment process is ended. At S90, controller 70 monitors that the temperature of the laundry is equal to or higher than the laundry temperature cutoff set value. If the laundry temperature is equal to or higher than the laundry temperature off setting value, controller 70 determines YES at S90 and proceeds to S94.

In S94, control device 70 turns off burner 30. In the following S96, the control device 70 monitors that the laundry temperature is less than the laundry temperature on setting value. When the temperature of the laundry drops to the insufficient laundry temperature on-setting value after turning off the burner 30, the control device 70 determines YES in S96 and proceeds to S98. In S98, control device 70 switches on burner 30 again. Then, the process returns to the monitoring at S88 and S90.

(exhaust gas temperature adjustment treatment; FIG. 5)

The contents of the exhaust gas temperature adjustment processing will be described with reference to fig. 5. In S110, control device 70 turns off burner 30 and starts a turn-off timer for counting the turn-off period. In next S112, control device 70 monitors the fact that the off period has elapsed after the off timer was started in S110. When the off period elapses, control device 70 determines YES in S112 and proceeds to S114.

In S114, the control device 70 monitors that the exhaust gas temperature becomes less than the exhaust gas temperature on-set value. When the exhaust gas temperature falls below the exhaust gas temperature on-setting value after the burner 30 is turned off, the control device 70 determines YES in S114 and proceeds to S116. In S116, control device 70 turns on burner 30 again, and starts an on-timer for counting the on-period.

Subsequently, the control device 70 executes each monitoring of S118, S120, and S122. In S118, control device 70 monitors the condition of the on period after the on timer is turned on in S116. When the on period elapses, control device 70 determines YES in S118, returns to S110, and turns off burner 30 again to start the off timer. In S120, controller 70 monitors that the temperature of the laundry is equal to or higher than the laundry temperature off setting value before the on period elapses. If the laundry temperature is equal to or higher than the laundry temperature cutoff set value, controller 70 determines YES in S120 and proceeds to S124. In S122, the controller 70 monitors that the exhaust gas temperature is equal to or higher than the exhaust gas temperature off setting value before the on period elapses. If the exhaust temperature is equal to or higher than the exhaust temperature cutoff set value, control device 70 determines YES in S122 and proceeds to S124.

In S124, control device 70 advances the pattern of duty ratios by 1 step. For example, when the duty mode is set to mode 1 (i.e., on: off: 50 seconds: 10 seconds), control device 70 changes the duty mode to mode 2 (i.e., on: off: 45 seconds: 15 seconds) in S124. When S124 ends, returning to S110, control device 70 turns off burner 30 again, and starts the off timer. Thereafter, control device 70 executes the processes of S110 to S124 in accordance with the on period and the off period indicated by the pattern of the duty ratio changed in S124.

As described above, while the drying operation is being executed, the above-described respective processes are executed (see fig. 2 to 5). When a predetermined drying operation time has elapsed or a predetermined drying suspension operation is input to the operation unit, the control device 70 turns off the burner 30, stops the motor 12 and the fan 14, and ends the drying operation. In this case, the processing of fig. 2 to 5 is also ended.

(comparative example drying operation; FIG. 6)

Here, in order to sufficiently explain the operational effect of the drying operation of the dryer 2 according to the present embodiment, a comparative example of a case where the drying operation is performed using a related art dryer will be described with reference to fig. 6. The related art dryer also has the same structure as the dryer 2 shown in fig. 1. However, in the related art dryer, the exhaust gas temperature adjusting process of fig. 5 is not performed. In the dryer of the related art, instead of the exhaust temperature adjustment process of fig. 5, when the exhaust temperature exceeds a predetermined exhaust temperature off set value, the burner is stopped, and after the burner is stopped, when the exhaust temperature is lower than the predetermined exhaust temperature on set value, a process of operating the burner again is executed (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "related art temperature adjustment process"). That is, in the temperature adjustment process according to the related art, the process of turning on and off the burner at the duty ratio is not performed. Therefore, in the temperature adjustment process of the related art, the process of changing the pattern of the duty ratio is not performed.

Fig. 6 is a graph showing transition of the laundry temperature, the exhaust air temperature, the blowing temperature, and the electrode detection state in the case where the drying operation is performed by the dryer of the comparative example. In the example of fig. 6, the weight of the laundry C is 2kg, and the drying operation time is set to 35 minutes. The clothes temperature off set value and the clothes temperature on set value are set to 90 ℃ and 80 ℃, respectively, and the exhaust temperature off set value and the exhaust temperature on set value are set to 72 ℃ and 71 ℃, respectively. CT, ET, and BT in fig. 6 are graphs showing changes in the clothes temperature, the exhaust temperature, and the blow temperature, respectively. DS indicates a detection state of an electrode (corresponding to the electrode 50 in fig. 1) for detecting moisture in the laundry. DS denotes a pulse signal output when the electrodes detect moisture of the laundry.

In the example of fig. 6, the laundry temperature, the exhaust air temperature, and the blowing temperature are continuously increased from the start of the drying operation to about 19 minutes. Further, the frequency of the electrode 50 detecting moisture increases from the start of the drying operation to about 15 minutes, and then decreases (that is, the drying operation is being performed). After 19 minutes from the start of the drying operation, the temperature of the laundry reaches a laundry temperature cutoff set value (i.e., 90 ℃) or more, and the laundry temperature adjustment process is performed. Then, after 23 minutes has elapsed from the start of the drying operation, the exhaust temperature reaches the exhaust temperature off set value (i.e., 72 ℃) or more, and then the temperature adjustment processing of the related art is executed. As a result, particularly at the end of the drying operation (after 20 minutes), the number of times of repeating the on/off of the burners is increased (the total number of times of turning on the burners is 20 times), and accordingly, the temperature in the laundry storage tub is easily maintained at a temperature higher than the temperature suitable for drying. As a result, during the drying operation of the related art dryer, the laundry in the laundry receiving drum is excessively exposed to a high temperature and may be damaged.

(drying operation of example; FIG. 7)

On the other hand, fig. 7 is a graph showing transition of the laundry temperature, the exhaust air temperature, the blowing temperature, and the electrode detection state in the case where the drying operation is performed by the dryer 2 of the present embodiment. In the example of fig. 7, the weight of laundry C is 2kg and the drying operation time is set to 35 minutes, as in the example of fig. 6. The clothes temperature off set value and the clothes temperature on set value are set to 90 ℃ and 80 ℃, respectively, and the exhaust temperature off set value and the exhaust temperature on set value are set to 72 ℃ and 71 ℃, respectively.

In the example of fig. 7, the laundry temperature, the exhaust air temperature, and the blowing temperature are continuously increased from the start of the drying operation to about 15 minutes. Further, the frequency of detecting moisture by the electrode 50 increases from the start of the drying operation to about 15 minutes, and then decreases (that is, the drying operation is being performed). After 17 minutes has elapsed from the start of the drying operation, the exhaust temperature becomes equal to or higher than the exhaust temperature cutoff set value (i.e., 72 ℃), and the exhaust temperature adjustment process of fig. 5 is executed. That is, after turning off the burner 30 once (S110 in fig. 5), the controller 70 advances the duty ratio pattern by 1 step (S124) when the temperature of the laundry becomes equal to or higher than the laundry temperature off setting value (YES in S120) or when the exhaust temperature becomes equal to or higher than the exhaust temperature off setting value while the burner 30 is turned on again (S116). Accordingly, the off period after the next turn becomes longer, and the on period becomes shorter. Accordingly, the temperature of the clothes and the temperature of the exhaust gas during the off period are promoted to be decreased, and the temperature of the clothes and the temperature of the exhaust gas during the on period are suppressed from being increased. Therefore, the number of repetitions of turning on and off the burner 30 is suppressed from increasing (the total number of burner on times is 15). Accordingly, by keeping the temperature inside the laundry accommodation drum 10 at a temperature higher than the temperature suitable for drying, it is possible to keep the laundry C inside the laundry accommodation drum 10 from being damaged.

The structure and operation of the dryer 2 of the present embodiment have been described above. As described above, after the drying operation is started (S10 in fig. 2), the control device 70 executes the clogging correction processing in fig. 3 and sets the correction values in accordance with the blowing temperature. Specifically, in the case where the blowing temperature is in the range of 140 ℃ or higher, each correction value is set to a value larger than 0. When the predetermined period has elapsed (YES in S28), control device 70 calculates each set value based on each correction value set at the time point when the predetermined period has elapsed (see S20 in fig. 2, S52, S56, and S62 in fig. 3) (S86 in fig. 4). Thereafter, the drying operation is continued in accordance with the respective set values determined in S86. That is, when the blowing temperature at the time point when the predetermined period has elapsed is 140 ℃. Therefore, for example, in the case where the blowing temperature becomes 140 ℃. Therefore, when the lint filter 16 is clogged, it is possible to suppress the laundry temperature or the exhaust gas temperature from excessively increasing. Therefore, according to the dryer 2 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the laundry C inside the laundry accommodation drum 10 from being excessively exposed to a high temperature, thereby being able to suppress the laundry C inside the laundry accommodation drum 10 from being damaged.

In the present embodiment, the control device 70 calculates the set values (S22 in fig. 2) using the correction values set by the clogging correction processing in fig. 3 even before the predetermined period elapses after the drying operation is started (S10 in fig. 2), and executes the drying operation based on the set values. After the drying operation is started (S10 in fig. 2), if the exhaust temperature is equal to or higher than the exhaust temperature cutoff set value (YES in S24) or if the laundry temperature is equal to or higher than the laundry temperature cutoff set value (YES in S26), the process determination process (S80 to S86 in fig. 4) is skipped, and the laundry temperature adjustment process (the process after S94 in fig. 4) and the exhaust temperature adjustment process (the process after S110 in fig. 5) are performed based on the set values set at this time point. That is, according to the dryer 2 of the present embodiment, for example, in a situation where the drying operation is executed again immediately after the completion of the previous drying operation, the drying operation can be executed based on appropriate setting values without waiting for the elapse of a predetermined period. Therefore, regardless of the state of the drying operation, it is possible to appropriately suppress damage to the laundry C in the laundry storage drum 10.

In the present embodiment, control device 70 sets a clothes temperature on correction value and an exhaust temperature on correction value in addition to the clothes temperature off correction value and the exhaust temperature off correction value in the jam correction process of fig. 3. Therefore, according to the dryer 2 of the present embodiment, it is possible to correct the laundry temperature and the exhaust temperature (i.e., the laundry temperature off setting value and the exhaust temperature off setting value) which become the references when the burner 30 is turned off, and it is also possible to correct the laundry temperature and the exhaust temperature (i.e., the laundry temperature on setting value and the exhaust temperature on setting value) which become the references when the burner 30 is turned on. Therefore, it is possible to keep the temperature in laundry storing drum 10 at a temperature suitable for drying laundry C while suppressing an excessive number of repetitions of turning on and off burner 30.

In the present embodiment, in the jam correction processing of fig. 3, when the supply temperature is 140 ℃ or higher and less than 160 ℃ (YES in S50), both the clothes temperature off correction value and the clothes temperature on correction value are 10(S52), and when the supply temperature is 160 ℃ or higher and less than 180 ℃ (YES in S54), the clothes temperature on correction value (20) is larger than the clothes temperature off correction value (15). When the blowing temperature is 180 ℃ or higher and less than 200 ℃ (YES at S58), the clothes temperature on correction value (30) is larger than the clothes temperature off correction value (20). That is, according to the dryer 2 of the present embodiment, when the clogging degree of the lint filter 16 is relatively high, the laundry temperature on correction value can be made larger (i.e., the temperature difference between the off setting value and the on setting value is made larger) than when the clogging degree is relatively low. As a result, the average temperature of the laundry can be reduced, and the number of on/off switching times of the burner 30 can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, after the drying operation is started, when the exhaust temperature becomes equal to or higher than the exhaust temperature cutoff set value, the control device 70 executes the exhaust temperature adjustment process of fig. 5. That is, after the burner 30 is turned off once (S110 in fig. 5), the controller 70 advances the duty ratio pattern by 1 step (S124) when the laundry temperature is equal to or higher than the laundry temperature off setting value (YES in S120) or when the exhaust temperature is equal to or higher than the exhaust temperature off setting value in the period of turning on the burner 30 again (S116). Accordingly, the off period next and thereafter becomes longer, and the on period becomes shorter. Accordingly, the temperature of the clothes and the temperature of the exhaust gas during the off period are promoted to be decreased, and the temperature of the clothes and the temperature of the exhaust gas during the on period are suppressed from being increased. Therefore, the number of repetitions of on/off of the burner 30 can be suppressed. Accordingly, the temperature inside the laundry accommodation drum 10 is kept at a temperature higher than the temperature suitable for drying, and thus the laundry C inside the laundry accommodation drum 10 can be prevented from being damaged.

The correspondence between the description of the present embodiment and the description of the present invention is described in advance. The laundry temperature and the exhaust temperature are one example of "associated temperatures". The clothing temperature thermistor and the exhaust temperature thermistor are examples of "associated temperature detecting means". The laundry temperature cutoff set value and the exhaust temperature cutoff set value are an example of the "cutoff threshold value". The laundry temperature on setting value and the exhaust temperature on setting value are an example of the "on threshold". The case of YES in S50 or S54 or S58 of fig. 3 is an example of "specific case".

The embodiments have been described in detail, but these embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present invention. The technology described in the present invention also includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples described above.

(modification 1) in the above-described embodiment, if YES is obtained in S120 or S122 of fig. 5, control device 70 advances the pattern of duty ratios by 1 step (S124). Instead of this step, if YES in S120 (i.e., if the temperature of the laundry becomes equal to or higher than the laundry temperature cutoff setting value), controller 70 may skip S124 and proceed to S110 (i.e., may not advance the duty mode by 1 step). Conversely, if YES in S122 (i.e., if the exhaust gas temperature is equal to or higher than the exhaust gas temperature cutoff setting value), control device 70 may skip S124 and proceed to S110 (i.e., may not advance the duty ratio mode by 1 step).

In addition, (modification 2) if the clothes temperature becomes equal to or higher than the clothes temperature off setting value and the exhaust temperature becomes equal to or higher than the exhaust temperature off setting value before the on period elapses (that is, if both S120 and S122 in fig. 5 are YES), controller 70 may advance the duty mode by 1 step.

(modification 3) in the above-described embodiment, in S124 of fig. 5, control device 70 advances the pattern of duty ratios by 1 rank to lengthen the off period and shorten the on period. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control device 70 may extend the off period and not change the on period in S124. In this case, the total of the off period and the on period may be longer than a predetermined unit period (for example, 60 seconds) or may be shorter than the predetermined unit period.

(modification 4) in the above-described embodiment, in addition to the clothes temperature off correction value and the exhaust temperature off correction value, control device 70 sets the clothes temperature on correction value and the exhaust temperature on correction value in S20 of fig. 2 and S52, S56, and S62 of fig. 3, and calculates the respective set values using the respective correction values (S22 of fig. 2 and S86 of fig. 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and controller 70 may set only the laundry temperature off correction value and the exhaust temperature off correction value at S20 in fig. 2, and at S52, S56, and S62 in fig. 3, and omit setting of the laundry temperature on correction value and the exhaust temperature on correction value. In this case, at S22 in fig. 2 and S86 in fig. 4, controller 70 may determine the laundry temperature on initial value and the exhaust temperature on initial value as the laundry temperature on setting value and the exhaust temperature on setting value, respectively, based on the values (that is, may not calculate the subtraction correction value).

(modification 5) in the above-described embodiment, after the drying operation is started (S10 in fig. 2), the control device 70 executes the clogging correction processing in fig. 3 and sets the correction values in accordance with the blowing temperature. Specifically, in the case where the blowing temperature is in the range of 140 ℃ or more, each correction value is set to a value larger than 0. Instead of this (or in addition to this), the control device 70 may set each correction value in accordance with the increase amount of the blowing temperature from the start time point of the drying operation. In other words, the control device 70 may set each correction value according to the degree of increase (or the rate of increase) of the blowing temperature from the start time point of the drying operation. Further, when the increase amount of the blowing temperature is within a range of a predetermined increase temperature threshold value (for example, 120 ℃) or more, each correction value may be set to a value larger than 0. When the predetermined period has elapsed, the control device 70 may calculate each set value based on each correction value set at the time point when the predetermined period has elapsed. After that, the drying operation may be continued in accordance with the determined set values. In the case of this modification, too, the dryer 2 can suppress the laundry temperature or the exhaust air temperature from excessively increasing due to clogging of the lint filter 16 or the like.

The technical elements described in the specification and drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, but are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology exemplified in the present specification or the drawings can achieve a plurality of objects at the same time, and achieving one of the objects has technical usefulness itself.

Claims

1. A clothes dryer characterized by having:

a laundry accommodating drum for accommodating laundry;

a fan for conveying air from the outside into the clothes receiving cylinder;

a burner for heating air to be supplied into the laundry storage drum;

a blowing temperature sensor for detecting a blowing temperature which is a temperature of the air heated by the burner and before the air is sent into the laundry accommodation drum;

an exhaust temperature sensor for detecting an exhaust temperature which is an air temperature after passing through the laundry storing drum; and

a control device for controlling the operation of the motor,

the control device stops the burner when the exhaust temperature detected by the exhaust temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined off-exhaust temperature threshold after the drying operation is started by operating the burner and the fan, and operates the burner again when the exhaust temperature detected by the exhaust temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined on-exhaust temperature threshold lower than the off-exhaust temperature threshold after the burner is stopped,

and, the control device lowers the cutoff exhaust gas temperature threshold in a specific case where: the drying device is configured to perform at least one of a case where the blowing temperature detected by the blowing temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined blowing temperature threshold at a time point when a predetermined period has elapsed after the drying operation is started, and a case where an amount of increase in the blowing temperature from the time point when the drying operation is started to the time point when the predetermined period has elapsed exceeds a predetermined amount of increase threshold.

2. The clothes dryer of claim 1,

specific cases also include the following cases: after the drying operation is started, before a predetermined period of time elapses, the exhaust temperature detected by the exhaust temperature sensor exceeds a cut-off exhaust temperature threshold.

3. The clothes dryer of claim 1,

the control device also lowers the switch-on exhaust gas temperature threshold in certain situations.

4. The clothes dryer of claim 1,

also has a clothes temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of clothes in the clothes accommodating cylinder, namely the clothes temperature,

a control device for controlling the operation of the motor,

the control device stops the burner when the temperature of the clothes detected by the clothes temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined off-clothes temperature threshold after the drying operation is started by operating the burner and the fan, and operates the burner again when the temperature of the clothes detected by the clothes temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined on-clothes temperature threshold lower than the off-clothes temperature threshold after the burner is stopped,

and, in certain cases, the control means also lowers the cut-off laundry temperature threshold.

5. A clothes dryer characterized by having:

a laundry accommodating drum for accommodating laundry;

a fan for conveying air from the outside into the clothes receiving cylinder;

a burner for heating air to be supplied into the laundry storage drum;

a clothes temperature sensor for detecting clothes temperature which is the temperature of clothes in the clothes accommodating barrel; and

a control device for controlling the operation of the motor,

and, the control device lowers the off-clothes temperature threshold in a specific case, wherein the specific case is: the drying device is configured to perform at least one of a case where the blowing temperature detected by the blowing temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined blowing temperature threshold at a time point when a predetermined period has elapsed after the drying operation is started, and a case where an amount of increase in the blowing temperature from the time point when the drying operation is started to the time point when the predetermined period has elapsed exceeds a predetermined amount of increase threshold.

6. The clothes dryer of claim 5,

specific cases also include the following cases: after the drying operation is started, before a predetermined period of time elapses, the temperature of the laundry detected by the laundry temperature sensor exceeds a cutoff laundry temperature threshold.

7. The clothes dryer of claim 5,

the control means also lower the switch-on laundry temperature threshold in specific cases.