JP2006087672A - Clothes dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clothes dryer capable of effectively draining dew condensation water. <P>SOLUTION: This clothes dryer is provided with; a drying chamber 42 storing clothes; a heat pump cycle 48 connected to the drying chamber 42 with an air duct 50 and an air passage A50a, having a heat exchanger 45 and drying the clothes; a drain pump 70 draining the dew condensation water formed when passing the air containing moisture generated by the clothes drying through the heat exchanger 45; and a drain pump driving circuit 80 driving the drain pump 70 in the normal and inverse directions. This constitution can drive the drain pump 70 in the normal direction and send the dew condensation water to an arbitrary place so as to eliminate a floor from getting wet and be free from restrictions of an installation place; and drive it in the inverse direction so as to prevent clogging of the drain pump 70 due to foreign matters such as lint, thus providing the highly reliably clothes dryer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a clothes dryer used for business use or for washing work in general households.

  Conventionally, in this type of clothes dryer, air dehumidified by an evaporator is passed through a condenser and circulated as dry air to a rotary drum for drying (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the conventional clothes dryer described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. In the main body 1, there are a rotating drum 2, a motor 3, a blower 22, a circulation duct 18, an evaporator 23, a condensing unit. The compressor 24, the compressor 25, the expansion device 26, and the inverter circuit 32 are provided. While the compressor 25 is driven by the inverter circuit 32, the blower 22 applies an arrow to the object to be dried 20 such as laundry put in the rotary drum 2. The air dehumidified by the evaporator 23 is applied to the condenser 24 and circulated in the rotary drum 2 again as dry air, and a part of the dry air is discharged from the exhaust port 28 to the outside. It was the thing of the composition to do.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a discharge port that opens to the bottom surface of the main body 1 and discharges the condensed water generated in the evaporator 23.
JP 7-178289 A

  However, in the conventional clothes dryer, since the discharge port 21 for discharging the condensed water generated in the evaporator 23 is formed on the bottom surface of the main body 1, it will drop downward and wet the floor surface. It had the subject that the place which can be installed was limited.

  In order to prevent this, a measure such as placing a container under the clothes dryer to receive condensed water can be considered, but in that case the installation height of the clothes dryer is increased, There is also a problem that it is very time-consuming because the container needs to be discarded before the container is filled with condensed water.

  A method of connecting a drain hose to the discharge port 21 is also conceivable, but when a heat pump cycle comprising an evaporator 23, a condenser 24, a compressor 25, and a throttle device 26 is provided below the rotary drum 2, The hose is at the bottom of the clothes dryer, and has a problem that drainage becomes difficult depending on the installation location.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use clothes dryer that does not restrict the installation location for the treatment of condensed water.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a clothes dryer of the present invention includes a dryer for storing clothes, a heat pump cycle connected to the dryer by an air passage and having a heat exchanger to dry the clothes, A drainage pump for draining condensed water generated when air containing moisture generated by drying the clothes is passed through the heat exchanger, and a drainage pump drive circuit for driving the drainage pump in the forward and reverse directions In this way, the condensed water generated in the heat exchanger is not discharged (dripping) out of the equipment by natural dripping, etc., by driving the drain pump in the forward direction, but it is condensed on the appropriate route such as a drain pipe. It is possible to send water, and by driving the drain pump in the reverse direction, the drain pump is clogged by foreign matter such as lint generated from clothing, locked (stopped) It is possible to install the equipment in a place where it is difficult to get wet when the floor surface gets wet with high reliability. The clothes dryer can be realized regardless of the place.

  The clothes dryer of the present invention is not restricted in installation location for the treatment of condensed water.

  The first invention includes a drying cabinet for storing clothing, a heat pump cycle connected to the drying cabinet by an air passage and having a heat exchanger for drying the clothing, and air containing moisture generated by drying the clothing. It is equipped with a drainage pump that drains the condensed water generated when passing through the heat exchanger, and a drainage pump drive circuit that drives the drainage pump in the forward and reverse directions, by driving the drainage pump in the forward direction. Condensed water generated in the heat exchanger is not discharged (dripping) out of the equipment by natural dripping, etc., but it is possible to send the condensed water to an appropriate route such as a drain pipe, and a drain pump By driving in the reverse direction, foreign matter such as lint generated from clothing will clog the drainage pump, become locked (stopped), and the flow rate will be extremely low, resulting in poor performance. As much as possible, it is possible to install equipment in places where the floor surface gets wet with water while maintaining high reliability, realizing a clothes dryer that can be placed anywhere. Can be made.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in particular, the drainage pump drive circuit according to the first aspect of the invention has overcurrent detection means for detecting a current flowing through the drainage pump, and the drainage pump when the current flowing through the drainage pump exceeds a predetermined value. The drive is stopped and then driven in the opposite direction. The rotating part of the drainage pump and the water inlet are clogged with foreign matter such as lint from clothes, and overcurrent detection means When an abnormality is detected by detecting a current, the foreign matter can be removed and the drainage pump can be made to function again by driving in the reverse direction after stopping the operation in the positive direction.

  In particular, the third invention has a water level sensor for detecting the level of condensed water of the first or second invention, and the drain pump driving circuit receives a high water level signal from the water level sensor and reverses the drain pump. If the foreign substance such as lint from clothes is clogged in the rotating part of the drainage pump or the water inlet, the water level becomes abnormally high. The foreign matter can be removed, and the drainage pump can function again.

  In the fourth invention, in particular, the drain pump driving circuit of the first invention is configured to drive the drain pump in the reverse direction for a predetermined time immediately before driving the drain pump in the forward direction. The foreign matter that is about to be pinched can be dropped in advance by rotating it in reverse, and it can be arranged in a state where the foreign matter is not tangled, so that a good drainage operation is performed in the positive rotation period thereafter Become.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, the drain pump driving circuit of the first aspect of the invention is configured to rotate the drain pump in the reverse direction for a predetermined time while driving the drain pump in the forward direction. Since the water inside flows backward, it is possible to effectively remove foreign substances clogging near the entrance of the drainage pump and bring it into a good state.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, the drainage pump drive circuit of the first aspect of the invention is such that the drainage pump is rotated in the reverse direction immediately after the drainage pump is driven in the forward direction, and gradually during the forward rotation period. The foreign matter that has been clogged up can be cleared, and the next drain pump operation can be started very well.

  In the seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, the drain pump driving circuit of the first aspect of the invention is such that the drain pump is rotated in the reverse direction at least once every time the drying operation is performed. Since the deposits on the drainage pump, which are difficult to remove when they are stacked, can be effectively removed before clogging, it is possible to always prevent clogging by foreign substances.

  In the eighth invention, in particular, the drain pump driving circuit of the first invention is configured to rotate the drain pump in the reverse direction when the drain pump reaches a predetermined number of times. In equipment where the speed of foreign matter adhering to the pump is relatively low, it is not necessary to reversely rotate the drainage pump every time the drainage pump is operated, so only reversely rotate the drainage pump when it reaches the specified number of times. Thus, foreign matter removal can be performed rationally.

  According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in particular, the drainage pump drive circuit according to the first aspect of the invention is configured to rotate the drainage pump in the reverse direction when the operation time of the drainage pump reaches a predetermined time. In equipment where the speed of foreign matter adhering to the pump is relatively small, it is not necessary to reversely rotate the drainage pump every time the drainage pump is operated. Thus, foreign matter removal can be performed rationally.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a clothes dryer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a drain pump driving circuit of the clothes dryer.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a clothes dryer in the present embodiment includes a drying chamber 42 that stores clothing 41, a drying chamber motor 43 that is connected to the rotation shaft 42a of the drying chamber 42 in a direct axis, and rotates the drying chamber 42, and a heat pump. The heat pump cycle 48 includes a compressor 44, heat exchangers 45 and 46, and a capillary tube 47. Further, the upstream side of the heat exchanger 45 and the drying chamber 42 communicate with each other via the air passage 50, and the downstream side of the heat exchanger 46 and the drying chamber 42 communicate with each other via the air passage A 50a. The air blowing means 51 for circulating and moving the air is provided.

  The heat exchanger 45 is also called an evaporator or the like because it evaporates the refrigerant and sucks heat from the air into the refrigerant. On the other hand, the heat exchanger 46 conversely acts to give heat from the refrigerant to the air. However, the refrigerant to be used is not limited to various types of chlorofluorocarbons, for example, carbon dioxide (CO2) may be used as a supercritical state, It may be a cooler.

  A first drive circuit 55 that drives the dryer motor 43 and a second drive circuit 56 that drives the compressor 44 are connected. The first rectifier circuit 58 is of a double voltage type and supplies a DC voltage of about 250 V to the first drive circuit 55, and the second rectifier circuit 59 is also a double voltage type of the second drive circuit. A DC voltage of 230 V is supplied to 56.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the power plug 60 is provided, and the AC power is supplied to the first rectifier circuit 58 and the second rectifier circuit 59 while suppressing power harmonics and terminal noise. ing.

  Further, the water supply means 63 is constituted by a water supply pipe 65 and a water supply valve 65 that puts and stops water from the water pipe 64 by opening and closing, and water is supplied from the water supply means 63 to the drying chamber 42, and in the drying chamber 42. The clothes 41 are also washed and dehydrated. The drain valve 68 is provided in the lower part of the drying chamber 42. When the drain valve 68 is in the closed state, water is stored in the drying chamber 42 and washing and rinsing are performed. The water is thrown away into the drain pipe 69.

  Since the inside of the drying chamber 42 is dehumidified by drying the clothes and the moisture is low in the heat exchanger 45 of the heat pump cycle 48, the moist air is cooled there to generate condensed water. The condensed water is drained, and is fitted to a small magnet 71 having a permanent magnet, a brush and a commutator that operates at 12 VDC, a first gear 72 rotated by the motor 71, and a first gear 72. , A second gear 73 that rotates in the opposite direction to the first gear 72, a case 74 that surrounds the first gear 72 and the second gear 73, and a filter 75 provided on the inlet side thereof, and a heat pump cycle After the condensed water is sucked up from the condensed water reservoir 76 for storing the condensed water from 48, the condensed water is once pushed upward and poured out into the overflow tray 77, and then again overflow pipe 7 Has become one that merges into the drainage pipe 69 through the. The drain pump drive circuit 80 drives the drain pump 70 in the forward direction and the reverse direction.

  In FIG. 2, a 12-volt DC power supply 86, PNP transistors 87 and 88, NPN transistors 89 and 90, and a forward / reverse control circuit 91 are provided, and a signal from a microcomputer 92 that controls the entire device is shown. Thus, the forward drive, reverse drive, and stop control of the drain pump 70 are performed.

  That is, when the signal A of the microcomputer 92 is high and B is low, the transistors 87 and 90 are turned on, the transistors 88 and 89 are turned off, and the voltage VM of the motor 71 is + 11.5V and is positive. The operation of rotating in the direction, sucking out the condensed water from the condensed water reservoir 76 through the filter 75, and sending it out to the overflow tray 77 is performed.

  On the contrary, when the signal A of the microcomputer 92 is low and B is high, the transistors 87 and 90 are turned off, the transistors 88 and 89 are turned on, and the voltage VM of the electric motor 71 becomes −11.5V. . However, since the direction of rotation of the electric motor 71 is reversed depending on whether the supplied voltage is positive or negative, the electric motor 71 rotates in the reverse direction when the VM is negative.

  When both the signal A and the signal B are low, the transistors 87, 88, 89, and 90 are all turned off and are not driven. At this time, if there is water in the drainage pump 70, the foreign matter clogging the filter 75 will be peeled off from the filter 75 and the filter 75 will be purified.

  In addition, foreign matter caught between the first gear 72 and the second gear 73 in the drainage pump 70 and between the rotating portion and the case 74 is also dropped, so that it can freely rotate.

  In FIG. 2, the overcurrent detection means 95 is constituted by a 2-ohm resistor 96 for detecting the current supplied to the electric motor 71 of the drain pump 70, a comparator 97, and a DC power supply 98 of 11.6 volts. In a normal state, the current flowing through the resistor 96 is 200 milliamperes or less, the voltage drop of the resistor 96 is 0.4 volts or less, the positive input of the comparator 97 becomes lower potential, and the C signal becomes low.

  Here, when foreign matter such as lint is caught in the rotating portion inside the drainage pump 70 and the electric motor 71 is locked, and when the filter 75 is clogged with foreign matter such as lint and the water channel is blocked. In both cases, since the torque of the motor 71 becomes large, the current also becomes large, and the current flowing through the resistor 96 exceeds 200 milliamperes.

  According to the data measured by the inventor, the current value was 140 milliamperes at normal times, but the maximum current value was 700 milliamperes in the locked state and 280 milliamperes when the water channel was completely blocked.

  Therefore, since the potential of the negative input terminal is lower than that of the positive input terminal, the comparator 97 outputs the fact that the output signal C becomes high and the microcomputer 92 is overcurrent.

  In the present embodiment, when the state in which the signal C is high during the normal rotation period continues for 200 milliseconds or more, the microcomputer 92 once stops both the signals A and B and then stops the signal A Is set to low, B is set to high, and a reverse rotation period is set for 2 seconds. After removing the foreign matter, the control is performed in the order of a one-second stop period and a normal rotation period.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, when the drainage pump 70 is clogged, the overcurrent detection means 95 detects the current value supplied to the drainage pump 70 and the current value exceeds a predetermined value and is clogged. When it is determined, the driving of the drainage pump 70 is stopped, and thereafter, the control for driving in the reverse direction for a predetermined time is performed.

  In the present embodiment, since the drainage pump 70 is a so-called gear pump having the first gear 72 and the second gear 73, the direction of water flow during the reverse rotation period. On the contrary, the effect that foreign matters accumulated in the filter 75 can also be removed is obtained.

  However, in the case of the type in which the impeller is rotated in the case without using a gear, the situation changes slightly, and the direction of the water flow does not reverse during the reverse rotation period, and at the same time the torque of the motor Although it increases at the time of locking, when the water channel is clogged, the torque tends to decrease and the current value tends to be smaller than usual. Therefore, the overcurrent detection means 95 can detect a locked state in which foreign matter is caught between the rotating blades, and even in such a case, by providing a reverse rotation period, the foreign matter can be released and the locked state can be released. It is extremely effective because there are many.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of the water level sensor portion of the clothes dryer in the second embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is provided with a water level sensor 100 that detects the water level of the condensed water stored in the condensed water reservoir 76, and other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.

  In FIG. 3, a water level sensor 100 receives a signal repeatedly repeating high and low of 12 kHz from the D terminal of the microcomputer 92, and outputs a voltage corresponding to the water level as an E signal.

  The water level sensor 100 includes electrodes 101 and 102 provided so as to be in contact with the condensed water in a state where the water level of the condensed water stored in the condensed water reservoir 76 is almost limited, coils 103 and 104 for preventing noise, a resistance 105, 106, 107, 108, capacitors 109, 110, 111, 112, an NPN transistor 115, diodes 116, 117, 118, and an insulating transformer 120. Between the electrodes 101, 102 is in the air. When the potential of the signal E is 3.5 volts and condensed water touches between the electrodes 101 and 102, the resistance value between the electrodes 101 and 102 becomes about several tens of kilohms, so that the signal E The output analog voltage to has a characteristic of dropping to about 1.0 volts, and the microcomputer When the E signal of 2 is input as an analog voltage and the analog voltage is 1.7 volts or less by processing by software in the microcomputer 92, it is determined that the electrodes 101 and 102 are immersed in condensed water. That is, it means a high water level signal.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration other than the peripheral circuit portion of the water level sensor 100 shown in FIG. 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and during the normal drying operation, the compressor 44 is driven and about 5 Since the drainage pump 70 is driven in the forward direction once every minute for 10 seconds by the drainage pump drive circuit 80, the condensed water for 5 minutes is almost completely drained from the condensed water reservoir 76. As a result, the water level of the condensed water temporarily stored in the condensed water reservoir 76 is lower than the height of the electrodes 101 and 102, and a high water level signal is not generated.

  However, if the function of the drainage pump 70 is deteriorated, such as when lint is entangled with the drainage pump 70, the condensed water is not sufficiently drained from the condensation water reservoir 76 in the normal operation of the drainage pump 70, and the dew condensation is caused. The water level of the dew condensation water in the water reservoir 76 gradually rises. When the water level reaches the tips of the electrodes 101 and 102, a high water level signal is emitted from the water level sensor 100 and passes through the microcomputer 92. A period during which the drainage pump 70 is driven in the reverse direction for 10 seconds is provided, and the operation for removing foreign matters such as lint is started.

  In the present embodiment, since the electrodes 101 and 102 are electrically insulated from the microcomputer 92 using the insulating transformer 120, the microcomputer 92 is affected by noise from the electrodes 101 and 102. Although it is effective to easily prevent malfunction and prevention of electric shock through condensed water, such a configuration is not necessarily required. For example, the electrodes 101 and 102 are provided without the insulating transformer 120. And a method of taking the partial pressure of a predetermined resistor directly into the microcomputer 92, or providing a float (floating) so that when the water level of condensed water rises, the float floats up and closes the contacts. It can also be used as a water level sensor.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 shows an operation waveform diagram of the drainage pump drive circuit 80 of the clothes dryer in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  This embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the operation waveform of the drain pump driving circuit 80 that drives the drain pump 70 in the forward direction and the reverse direction. Detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  When the drainage pump 70 is driven from the state where the signals A and B from the microcomputer 92 are both low, when the drainage pump 70 is driven, only the signal B from the microcomputer 92 becomes high first, and the reverse drive is performed for 1 second. After that, after the signal B returns to low and after a stop period of 1 second, this time the signal A becomes high, and the drain pump driving circuit 80 is driven in the positive direction for 10 seconds, thereby the drain pump 70 is driven to drain the condensed water.

  As described above, the drain pump driving circuit 80 is sandwiched between the drain pumps 70 by providing the reverse rotation period in which the drain pumps 70 are rotated in the reverse direction for a predetermined time immediately before the forward rotation period in which the drain pumps 70 are driven in the forward direction. Since the foreign material in such a state can be dropped in advance in the reverse rotation period and can be arranged in a state in which no foreign material is tangled, a good draining operation is performed thereafter in the normal rotation period.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 5 shows an operation waveform diagram of the drainage pump drive circuit 80 of the clothes dryer in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the operation waveform of the drain pump driving circuit 80 that drives the drain pump 70 in the forward direction and the reverse direction. Is omitted.

  From the stop state of the drainage pump 70 in which both the signals A and B from the microcomputer 92 are low, the signal A from the microcomputer 92 goes high first, driving in the forward direction is performed for 2 seconds, and the drainage operation of the condensed water is started. Then, after the signal A returns to low and after a 0.5 second stop period, this time the signal B becomes high, and the drain pump drive circuit 80 drives the drain pump 70 in the reverse direction for 1 second. Enters foreign object removal operation such as lint.

  After that, after a low stop period of 0.5 seconds has elapsed for both signals A and B again, a positive rotation period during which signal A goes high again is provided for 10 seconds, so that the remaining condensed water is pumped out. Will be done.

  As described above, the drain pump drive circuit 80 is provided in the drain pump 70 by rotating the drain pump 70 in the reverse direction for a predetermined time during the forward rotation period in which the drain pump 70 is driven in the forward direction. Since the water flows backward, the foreign matter clogging near the entrance of the drainage pump 70 can be effectively removed and brought into a good state.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 6 shows an operation waveform diagram of the drainage pump drive circuit 80 of the clothes dryer in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, only the operation waveform of the drain pump driving circuit 80 for driving the drain pump 70 in the forward direction and the reverse direction is different, and the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. .

  The signal A from the microcomputer 92 becomes high, the signal A from the microcomputer 92 becomes high, the signal A and B from the microcomputer 92 are both low, the forward drive is performed for 10 seconds, and the drainage operation of the condensed water is performed. Then, after signal A returns to low and after a one-second stop period, in response to signal B becoming high, the drain pump drive circuit 80 drives the drain pump 70 in the reverse direction for one second, and then a foreign object such as lint. The removal operation is started.

  In this way, the drain pump drive circuit 80 provides a reverse rotation period in which the drain pump 70 rotates in the reverse direction immediately after the forward rotation period in which the drain pump 70 is driven in the forward direction, so that the drain pump drive circuit 80 gradually increases during the forward rotation period. The foreign matter that has been clogged can be cleared, and the next operation of the drainage pump 70 can be started very well.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the clothes dryer in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, forward, reverse, and stop command signals are sent from the microcomputer 92 to the drain pump driving circuit 80. The flowchart is as shown in FIG. 7, and the other configuration is the same as that of the above embodiment, so the description is omitted.

  That is, in this embodiment, since washing can be performed, the apparatus starts from “Start” 140 in the flowchart after the device is turned on. First, “Course selection” 141 performs washing, dehydration, and drying. Single course or fully automatic course selection.

  When “Laundry” is selected, “Laundry routine” 142 is entered, which opens the water supply valve 65 to fill the drum-shaped drying chamber 42 and rotates the drying chamber 42 by the drying chamber motor 43. After that, the drain valve 68 is opened, and the speed of the drying motor 43 is further increased to perform the squeezing operation of the cleaning liquid by centrifugal force. Then, the water supply valve 65 is opened again and the rinsing is performed in the same manner. The control is performed.

  After the completion of the “washing routine” 142 and when dehydration is selected in the “course selection” 141, the process proceeds to the “dehydration routine” 143, and the drying chamber motor 43 finally sets the speed of the drying chamber 42 to 1000 per minute. It is raised to the rotation to squeeze out the moisture of the garment firmly, and the operation ends at “END” 144.

  When “drying” is selected in “course selection” 141, “drying routine” 146 is entered, the compressor 44 of the heat pump cycle 48 is driven, and at the same time, the drying chamber 42 is slowly moved by the drying chamber motor 43. Intermittent rotation is also performed, and clothes are dried. Further, here, in order to process the dew condensation water, the drainage pump drive circuit 80 is also driven in the forward direction for 10 seconds at intervals of several minutes, and the dew condensation water is pumped from the dew condensation water reservoir 76. Also do.

  When the drying is finished, the “drying routine” 146 is finished and the “reverse rotation routine” 147 is entered. Here, the drain pump driving circuit 80 drives the drain pump 70 in the reverse direction for 10 seconds, and the inside of the drain pump 70 This removes foreign matters such as lint adhering to the rotating portion and the filter 75. However, there is no particular need for 10 seconds. In short, if the mechanically movable part inside the drainage pump 70 is driven even in a direction opposite to the drainage operation, the effect of removing foreign matter will occur. Therefore, the number of reverse rotations, time, etc. may be determined by design.

  When the “reverse rotation routine” 147 is completed, the process proceeds to “end” 144 to complete the operation. When a fully automatic course is selected in “Course selection” 141, the “Laundry routine” 148 and the “Dehydration routine” 149 are controlled in this order, followed by the “Drying routine” 146 and the “Reverse rotation routine” 147. The “washing routine” 148 is substantially the same as the “washing routine” 142, and the “dehydration routine” 149 is substantially the same as the “dehydration routine” 143.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the drainage pump 70 is rotated once in the reverse direction every time the clothes dryer performs the drying operation, it is possible to attach lint or the like with a relatively simple configuration. Can be removed from the drainage pump 70 and the filter 75 each time, and the dew condensation water can always be pumped out satisfactorily.

  In this embodiment, when “washing” or “dehydration” is selected in “course selection” 141, the drying operation is not performed and the “reverse rotation routine” 147 is not performed. It doesn't matter if you do. Further, the “reverse rotation routine” 147 may be inserted in any part until the end, or may exist in a plurality of places.

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the clothes dryer in the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, command signals for forward direction, reverse direction, and stop are sent from the microcomputer 92 to the drain pump driving circuit 80. The flowchart is as shown in FIG.

  The present embodiment is provided with “operation count” 150 and “number of times determination” 151, and other configurations are the same as those of the sixth embodiment, and detailed description will be given with the same reference numerals. Omitted.

  In this embodiment, a non-volatile counter of 3 bits is set in the microcomputer 92, the non-volatile counter is incremented by 1 in the “operation count” 150, and the non-volatile counter value is 7 (binary number) in the number determination 151. 111), the “reverse rotation routine” 147 is executed. Otherwise, the process proceeds to “end” 144.

  Thereby, in this embodiment, although the configuration is slightly complicated, the drainage pump 70 is reversely rotated when the number of drying operations reaches eight times, but the predetermined number of times depends on the possibility of adhesion of foreign matter. It is possible by design, such as setting appropriately other than 8 times.

(Embodiment 8)
FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the clothes dryer in the eighth embodiment of the present invention. Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, forward, reverse, and stop command signals are sent from the microcomputer 92 to the drainage pump drive circuit 80. The flowchart of FIG. 9 is as shown in FIG.

  The present embodiment is the same as the sixth embodiment except that an operation time count 160 and a time determination 161 are provided, and a detailed description of the same parts is omitted.

  In this embodiment, a 4-bit non-volatile counter is set in the microcomputer 92. In the “operation time count” 160, the non-volatile counter is incremented by 1 for one hour of operation, and in the “time determination” 161, the non-volatile counter is set. When the value of the counter becomes 15 or more (when 1111 in binary number and carry is output), the “reverse rotation routine” 147 is executed, and otherwise, the process proceeds to “END” 144 as it is. I am using it.

  As a result, in this embodiment, the configuration is slightly more complicated. However, since the drainage pump 70 is reversely rotated when the drying operation time of 16 hours is reached, the foreign matter of the drainage pump 70 is proportional to the operation time. A rational foreign matter removal operation of the drainage pump 70 is performed, for example, when adhesion progresses.

  Also in the present embodiment, it is possible to design by setting the predetermined time appropriately other than 16 hours depending on the possibility of the adhesion of foreign matter.

  In each of the above embodiments, the drying chamber 42 has a horizontal rotation axis, but is not necessarily limited to a horizontal rotation shaft. For example, a drying chamber that rotates during dehydration on a vertical axis generally called a vertical shape. Or a rotating shaft inclined about 20 to 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal so that clothes can be easily put in and taken out. It is also possible to further provide a structural element such as a mechanical part so that effective washing can be performed during washing.

  As described above, the clothes dryer according to the present invention can effectively treat condensed water and is not subject to restrictions on the installation location, and can be widely applied to domestic and commercial clothes dryers.

Block diagram of a clothes dryer in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Circuit diagram around the drain pump drive circuit of the clothes dryer Circuit diagram around water level sensor of clothes dryer in embodiment 2 of the present invention Operation waveform diagram of drainage pump drive circuit of clothes dryer in embodiment 3 of the present invention Operation waveform diagram of drainage pump drive circuit of clothes dryer in embodiment 4 of the present invention Operation waveform diagram of drainage pump drive circuit of clothes dryer in embodiment 5 of the present invention Flowchart of clothes dryer in Embodiment 6 of the present invention Flowchart of clothes dryer in Embodiment 7 of the present invention Flowchart of clothes dryer in embodiment 8 of the present invention The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the clothes dryer in a prior art

Explanation of symbols

42 Dryer 44 Compressor 45, 46 Heat exchanger 48 Heat pump cycle 50 Air passage 50a Air passage A
70 Drain pump 80 Drain pump drive circuit 95 Overcurrent detection means 100 Water level sensor

Claims (9)

A drying cabinet for storing clothing, a heat pump cycle connected to the drying cabinet by an air passage and having a heat exchanger for drying the clothing, and air containing moisture generated by drying the clothing is passed through the heat exchanger A clothes dryer provided with a drain pump for draining the dew condensation water generated in the water and a drain pump driving circuit for driving the drain pump in the forward and reverse directions. The drain pump driving circuit has an overcurrent detection means for detecting the current flowing through the drain pump, and stops driving the drain pump when the current flowing through the drain pump exceeds a predetermined value, and then drives in the reverse direction. The clothes dryer according to claim 1. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a water level sensor that detects a water level of condensed water, wherein the drain pump driving circuit receives a high water level signal from the water level sensor and drives the drain pump in the reverse direction. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the drain pump driving circuit drives the drain pump in the reverse direction for a predetermined time immediately before driving the drain pump in the forward direction. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the drain pump driving circuit rotates the drain pump in the reverse direction for a predetermined time while driving the drain pump in the forward direction. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the drain pump driving circuit rotates the drain pump in the reverse direction immediately after driving the drain pump in the forward direction. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the drain pump driving circuit rotates the drain pump in the reverse direction at least once each time a drying operation is performed. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the drain pump drive circuit rotates the drain pump in the reverse direction when the drain pump has been operated a predetermined number of times. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the drain pump driving circuit rotates the drain pump in the reverse direction when the operation time of the drain pump reaches a predetermined time.

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