JP2006212117A - Clothes dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a load on a compressor when a heat-pump device including the compressor is adopted as a heat source, and to quickly recover the temperature of hot air by the heat-pump device. <P>SOLUTION: The clothes dryer comprises the heat-pump device 25, an air channel 13 for guiding air for drying to a heat sink 20 of the heat-pump device 25, a radiator 21 and a drying compartment where the laundry is loaded, a blower 15 for blowing the air for drying to the air channel 13, and a control means 19 for keeping the compressor 22 operated when the drying operation during which the compressor 22 and the blower 15 are operated is suspended. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a clothes drying device provided in a clothes dryer for drying clothes or the like, or a washing dryer for washing and drying in the same tank.

Conventionally, when a clothes dryer is put in and out of clothes in the middle of drying, the drying operation is interrupted and temporarily stopped by opening and closing the door, and all the heating means, blowing means and stirring means are stopped. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). FIG. 10 shows a conventional clothes dryer described in the above document. As shown in FIG. 10, a drying cabinet for storing and drying clothes, a rotating drum 1 as a stirring means, a heat exchange type two-blade fan 2 that circulates hot air into the rotating drum 1, A self-temperature control type PTC heater 3 serving as a heating means provided in the blowing path, a door 4 that closes the opening of the rotary drum 1, a motor 5 that rotationally drives the rotary drum 1 and the heat exchange type two-blade fan 2, and The opening / closing detection means 7 for detecting the opening / closing of the door 4 and the control means 6 for controlling the operation of the PTC heater 3 and the motor 5 are configured so that the opening / closing detection means 7 indicates that the door 4 has been opened. When detected, the energization to the PTC heater 3 and the motor 5 is stopped, and when it is detected that the door 4 is closed, the energization to the PTC heater 3 and the motor 5 is resumed after a predetermined time elapses.
JP-A-8-182897

  However, the conventional configuration is effective in the case of an electric heater whose temperature rise is fast as a heat source, but when a heat pump device including a compressor is employed as a heat source, the temperature rise by the compressor is applied to the electric heater. It is slower than that and it is difficult to return to the original hot air temperature immediately. In addition, since the refrigerant pressure difference in the refrigeration cycle of the heat pump device is large immediately after the compressor stops and the start-up of the compressor may fail due to repeated stop and operation in a short time, the drying operation is interrupted and restarted. The structure which avoids frequent frequent stop and restart in a short time of the accompanying compressor is desired.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and even when a heat pump device including a compressor is employed as a heat source, the compressor is burdened by avoiding frequent frequent stop and restart of the compressor in a short time. In addition, speed up the return of the warm air temperature with the heat pump device, check the dryness of clothing in the middle of drying, take out dry things and those that tend to wrinkle first, add clothing you want to dry in the middle It is an object of the present invention to provide a clothes drying apparatus that is suitable for use as a drying apparatus, such as interrupting a drying operation during drying, opening / closing a door, and putting clothes in and out.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a clothes drying apparatus of the present invention includes a heat pump device, an air path that guides drying air to a drying chamber containing clothes, a blower that sends drying air to the air path, Control means for controlling the drive of the compressor, and the control means operates the blower and the compressor during the drying operation, and continues the operation of the compressor when the drying operation is interrupted. It is a thing.

  By continuing the operation of the compressor during this interruption, avoid frequent stoppage and repeated operation of the compressor in a short time, reduce the burden on the compressor, and respond to the interruption of the drying operation during drying. This makes it possible to speed up the return of the hot air temperature by the heat pump device.

  Even when the clothes drying apparatus of the present invention employs a heat pump apparatus including a compressor as a heat source, the burden on the compressor can be reduced and the drying operation can be interrupted during drying.

  The first invention includes a compressor, a radiator that dissipates heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant after compression, a throttle means for reducing the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant, and the reduced-pressure and low-pressure refrigerant generates heat from the surroundings. A heat pump device connected by a pipe line so that the refrigerant circulates the heat sink to be taken away, an air path for leading the drying air to the drying cabinet containing the heat absorber, the heat radiator and clothes, and for drying to the air path A blower for sending air; and a control means for controlling the drive of the compressor. The control means operates the blower and the compressor during a drying operation and operates the compressor when the drying operation is interrupted. By continuing the operation of the compressor even during the interruption, it avoids frequent stoppage of the compressor and repeated operation, reduces the burden on the compressor, and interrupts the drying operation. It is possible to respond, and heat pump It is intended to increase the return of the hot air temperature by the device.

  In the second invention, the control means maintains the compression capacity of the compressor at the time of the interruption of the drying operation by maintaining the operation of the compressor even during the interruption. , Which avoids frequent stoppages and repeated operation of the compressor, reduces the burden on the compressor, makes it possible to respond to interruptions in the drying operation, and speeds up the return of the hot air temperature by the heat pump device It is.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means reduces the compression capacity of the compressor when the drying operation is interrupted from the compression capacity during the drying operation, thereby continuing the operation of the compressor even during the interruption. , Which avoids frequent stoppages and repeated operation of the compressor, reduces the burden on the compressor, makes it possible to respond to interruptions in the drying operation, and speeds up the return of the hot air temperature by the heat pump device It is.

  Further, for example, in a state in which the air blowing means is stopped during the interruption and the dry air is not circulated, in the refrigeration cycle of the heat pump device 25, the refrigerant pressure becomes abnormally high on the high pressure side, or the refrigerant on the low pressure side. There is a possibility that problems such as abnormally low pressure may occur, and the burden on the compressor 22 increases. Therefore, the compressor 22 can be reduced by reducing the compression capacity during the drying operation. It is possible to reduce the burden.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means reduces the compression capacity of the compressor after the first predetermined time has elapsed since the drying operation was interrupted. There is no decrease in compression capacity due to interruption and resumption, and the burden on the compressor can be reduced, and the hot air temperature can be maintained by the heat pump device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means increases the compression capacity of the compressor to the compression capacity at the time of the drying operation when the drying operation is resumed, speeding up the return to the normal state after the restart of the drying operation, It speeds up the return of wind temperature.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the control means increases the compression capacity of the compressor to the compression capacity during the drying operation after the second predetermined time has elapsed since the restart of the drying operation. In this, there is no increase or decrease in the compression capacity due to frequent interruption and resumption of operation, and the burden on the compressor can be reduced.

  In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the control unit stops the compressor when a third predetermined time has elapsed since the drying operation was interrupted. It is possible to speed up the return of the warm air temperature after resuming the drying operation by continuing the operation of the compressor even during the interruption of the drying operation.For example, the air is stopped and the drying air is circulating during the interruption. If there is an interruption for a long time exceeding the third predetermined time in the absence of the refrigerant, the refrigerant pressure becomes abnormally high on the high pressure side or the refrigerant on the low pressure side in the refrigeration cycle of the heat pump device. There is a risk of problems such as abnormally low pressure, which increases the burden on the compressor. Therefore, if the drying operation is interrupted for a third predetermined time, the compressor should be turned off. By stopping, the burden on the compressor is reduced.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a clothes dryer provided with a clothes drying apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a heat pump device 25 maintains a pressure difference between the compressor 22 that compresses the refrigerant, the radiator 21 that radiates the heat of the compressed high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant. For this purpose, it is composed of a throttle means 23 such as a capillary tube, a heat absorber 20 from which the refrigerant whose pressure has been reduced to a low pressure takes heat from the surroundings, and a pipe line 24 connecting them so that the refrigerant circulates.

  The drying air is a drying cabinet in which clothing 27 is placed by the blower 15 and is led from the rotating drum 11 as a stirring means to the heat absorber 20 and the radiator 21 of the heat pump device 25 by the air passage 13. The heat absorber 20 cools and dehumidifies the drying air, and the radiator 21 reheats the drying air and sends it to the rotating drum 11. The lint filter 16 is attached to the center of the rear surface of the rotary drum 11 and captures dust in the drying air.

  The rotating drum 11 is rotatably provided in the dryer main body 8 and is driven by a motor 9 via a drum belt 10. The blower 15 is rotated via the belt 14 by a motor 28 different from the motor 9 that moves the rotary drum 11, and the blower 15 and the rotary drum 11 can be individually moved. In addition, when an individual movement is unnecessary, the structure which drives the air blower 15 with the rotating drum 11 with the motor 9 like the prior art may be sufficient.

  The drain port 26 is provided near the heat absorber 20 in the middle of the air passage 13 and discharges condensed water of drying air generated by heat exchange in the heat absorber 20. The clothes 27 are put in and out from the door 12 provided on the front surface of the dryer main body 8.

  The opening / closing detection means 17 for detecting the opening / closing of the door 12 is configured to include, for example, a magnet attached to the door 12 side and a reed switch as a magnetic sensor provided in the dryer main body 8, and the door 12 is opened / closed by moving the magnet. Detect by magnetic change. When the door 12 is opened during the drying operation to put in and out the clothes 27, the drying operation is interrupted, and the closing of the door 12 restarts the drying operation.

  The operation unit includes a drying operation interruption switch 18 together with a power switch, a drying operation start / stop switch, various mode setting switches, and the like, and the operation of the drying operation interruption switch 18 can interrupt and resume the drying operation.

  The control means 19 operates the blower 15 and the compressor 22 during the drying operation, and continues the operation of the compressor when the drying operation is interrupted.

  By using the heat pump device 25, sensible heat and latent heat are recovered from the drying air after hitting the clothes 27 to be dried by the heat absorber 20, and used for the amount of heat for heating the drying air again in the radiator 21. Therefore, it is possible to dry the same amount of clothing in the same time with less input than heating by the electric heater. Furthermore, although there is a limit to the amount of heat that can be output by the electric heater due to the current capacity of the household outlet, if the heat pump device 25 is used, more output can be obtained with less input. Drying can also save time.

  Next, the operation will be described. First, the clothes 27 to be dried are placed in the rotating drum 11 by opening and closing the door 12. Next, when the door 12 is closed and the drying operation is started by the operation unit, the motor 9 and the motor 28 are rotated, the rotating drum 11 and the blower 15 are rotated, and a flow A of drying air is generated. The drying air takes moisture from the clothes 27 in the rotary drum 11 and becomes humid, passes through the lint filter 16, passes through the air passage 13, and is carried to the heat absorber 20 of the heat pump device 25.

  On the other hand, when the drying operation is started, the compressor 22 is operated, a high and low pressure difference is generated in the refrigerant, and the refrigerant is circulated. The heat absorber 20 takes heat with a low-temperature refrigerant and dehumidifies the drying air. Further, the radiator 21 heats the drying air by radiating heat from the refrigerant which is heated by adding heat from the compressor 22 to the amount of heat absorbed by the heat absorber 20, and again into the rotating drum 11. And the drying air is circulated, and the refrigerant returns to the compressor 22 through the radiator 21, the throttle means 23, and the heat absorber 20. By repeating the above, the drying of the clothes 27 proceeds.

  When the door 12 is opened during the drying or the drying operation interruption switch 18 is operated to interrupt the drying operation, the control means 19 continues the operation of the compressor 22, and the motor 9 or the motor 28 is operated. At least one of them stops immediately or after a predetermined time delay or decreases its rotational speed, and controls the blower 15 and the rotating drum 11 as the stirring means. During this time, after the user adds or removes clothes, when the door 12 is closed or the drying operation interruption switch 18 is operated again and the drying operation is resumed, at least one of the motor 9 or the motor 28 is resumed. Operates immediately or after a predetermined time delay, or increases its rotational speed, and controls the blower 15 and the rotating drum 11 as the stirring means.

  FIG. 2 is a time chart showing the operation of the compressor 22 when the drying operation is interrupted. When the door 12 is opened or the drying operation interruption switch 18 is operated to interrupt the drying operation, the control means 19 causes the compressor 22 to continue operating even when the drying operation is interrupted.

  As described above, by continuing the operation of the compressor 22 even during the interruption, it is possible to avoid frequent stoppage of the compressor 22 and repeated operation, reduce the burden on the compressor 22, and cope with the interruption of the drying operation. This makes it possible to speed up the return of the hot air temperature by the heat pump device 25.

  In the present embodiment, the dry operation interruption is exemplified by the dry operation interruption switch or the open / close detection means for detecting the open / closed state of the door provided at the clothes input port of the drying cabinet, but the present invention is limited to this. It is not a thing.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the operation at the time of drying operation interruption of the clothes dryer provided with the clothes drying apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention. The basic operation and configuration of the clothes dryer are the same as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 3 shows the control means 19 in which the compression capacity of the compressor 22 when the drying operation is interrupted is reduced from the compression capacity during the drying operation. By continuing the operation of the compressor 22 even during the interruption, it is possible to avoid frequent stoppage of the compressor 22 and repeated operation, reduce the burden on the compressor 22, and cope with the interruption of the drying operation. At the same time, the return of the hot air temperature by the heat pump device 25 is accelerated.

  Further, for example, in a state in which the air blowing means is stopped during the interruption and the dry air is not circulated, in the refrigeration cycle of the heat pump device 25, the refrigerant pressure becomes abnormally high on the high pressure side, or the refrigerant on the low pressure side. There is a possibility that problems such as abnormally low pressure may occur, and the burden on the compressor 22 increases. Therefore, the compressor 22 can be reduced by reducing the compression capacity during the drying operation. It is possible to reduce the burden. Further, by reducing the compression capacity of the compressor 22, the power consumption during the drying operation can be reduced accordingly.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the operation at the time of drying operation interruption of the clothes dryer provided with the clothes drying apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention. The basic operation and configuration of the clothes dryer are the same as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 4, the control unit 19 reduces the compression capacity of the compressor 22 after the first predetermined time has elapsed since the drying operation was interrupted. Within the first predetermined time, there is no decrease in compression capacity due to frequent interruption and resumption of operation, and the burden on the compressor 22 can be reduced, and the hot air temperature can be maintained by the heat pump device 25 during this period. It is realized.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 5 is a time chart showing an operation at the time of resuming the drying operation of the clothes dryer provided with the clothes drying apparatus in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The basic operation and configuration of the clothes dryer are the same as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 5, the control means 19 increases the compression capacity of the compressor 22 to the compression capacity during the drying operation when the drying operation is resumed. By increasing the compression capacity at the time of resumption, the return to the normal state after the resumption of the drying operation is accelerated, and the return of the wind temperature is accelerated.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 6 is a time chart showing an operation at the time of resuming the drying operation of the clothes dryer provided with the clothes drying apparatus in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The basic operation and configuration of the clothes dryer are the same as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6 shows that the control means 19 increases the compression capacity of the compressor 22 to the compression capacity at the time of the drying operation after the second predetermined time has elapsed since the restart of the drying operation. Within the second predetermined time, there is no increase or decrease in the compression capacity due to frequent interruption and resumption of operation, and the burden on the compressor 22 can be reduced.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 7 is a time chart showing an operation at the time of drying operation interruption of the clothes dryer provided with the clothes drying apparatus in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The basic operation and configuration of the clothes dryer are the same as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 7, the control unit 19 stops the compressor 22 when a third predetermined time has elapsed after interrupting the drying operation. 7A shows a case where the compression capacity of the compressor 22 is maintained even during the interruption, FIG. 7B shows a case where the compression function force is reduced during the interruption, and FIG. ) Shows a case where the compression capacity is reduced after the first predetermined time after the start of interruption.

  It is possible to speed up the return of the warm air temperature after resuming the drying operation by continuing the operation of the compressor 22 even during the interruption of the drying operation. For example, the air is circulated by stopping the blowing means during the interruption. If there is an interruption for a long time exceeding the third predetermined time in a state where the refrigerant has not been supplied, the refrigerant pressure becomes abnormally high on the high pressure side in the refrigeration cycle of the heat pump device 25 or on the low pressure side. May cause problems such as abnormally low refrigerant pressure, and the load on the compressor 22 increases. Therefore, when the drying operation interruption time exceeds the third predetermined time, By stopping the compressor 22, the burden on the compressor can be reduced. Further, by stopping the compressor 22, the power consumption during the drying operation can be reduced accordingly.

(Embodiment 7)
8 and 9 show the case of a washing / drying machine equipped with a clothes drying apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the washing / drying machine, and FIG. It is a sectional side view of a washing drier. Portions common to the first embodiment are given the same numbers.

  8 and 9, a washing tub 34 is provided in the washing and drying machine main body 33, and a motor 35 is attached. The washing tub 34 is supported by suspensions 36 on both sides and an upper suspension 37 and is attached to the washing / drying machine main body 33.

  A radiator 21 that dissipates the heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that has been compressed by the compressor 22; an expansion valve or a throttle means 23 that reduces the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant; There is a heat absorber 20 in which the refrigerant takes heat from the surroundings, and the compressor 22, the radiator 21, the throttle means 23, and the heat absorber 20 are connected in order, and are connected by a pipe line 24 so that the refrigerant circulates again to the compressor 22. A heat pump device 25 is provided.

  The air passage 13 through which the drying air flows is configured to connect the heat absorber 20 that cools the drying air and the radiator 21 that heats the drying air. The washing tub 34 and the air passage 13 are connected by flexible hoses 38 and 39. A blower 15 is provided in the air passage 13. The rotating drum 11 serving as a stirring unit and a drying unit is directly connected to the shaft of the motor 35 and attached to the washing tub 34. A door 12 for loading clothes 27 is provided at a position corresponding to the washing tub 34 and the front opening of the rotary drum 11.

  A hole 40 and an opening 41 through which washing water and drying air enter and exit are provided on the side wall and the bottom of the rotating drum 11. An opening 42 is provided on the inner wall of the washing tub 34, and connects the washing tub 34 and the air duct of the duct 43. A lint filter 47 is provided in the opening 42. A condensate drainage channel 45 through which the condensed water generated in the heat absorber 20 during drying is connected to the washing drainage channel 44 through which drainage during washing is supplied, and a drain valve 46 for opening and closing the water channel is provided.

  The opening / closing detection means 17 for detecting the opening / closing of the door 12 has, for example, a configuration having a magnet attached to the door 12 side and a reed switch as a magnetic sensor provided on the main body 33. Detect by change. When the door 12 is opened during the drying operation, the clothes 27 are difficult to put in and out if the rotating drum 11 of the stirring means is rotating. Therefore, the opening of the door 12 during the drying operation causes the drying operation to be interrupted. When 12 is closed, the drying operation is resumed.

  Further, the operation unit includes a drying operation interruption switch 18 together with a power switch, a drying operation start / stop switch, various mode setting switches, and the like, and the operation of the drying operation interruption switch 18 can be interrupted and resumed. The control means 19 maintains or reduces the compression capacity of the compressor 22 when the drying operation is interrupted.

  As described above, by continuing the operation of the compressor 22 even while the drying is interrupted, it is possible to avoid frequent load fluctuations in the compressor 22 due to the interruption and restart of the drying operation. Further, after the operation is resumed, the temperature of the drying air quickly reaches a predetermined temperature.

  As described above, the clothes drying apparatus according to the present invention continues the operation of the compressor even during the interruption of the drying operation, thereby avoiding frequent stoppage and repeated operation of the compressor in a short time, and burdening the compressor. This makes it possible to respond to interruptions in the drying operation during drying and speeds up the return of the warm air temperature by the heat pump device after resuming the drying operation. It can also be applied to uses such as dryers.

Side sectional view of clothes dryer in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Time chart showing the operation of the clothes dryer when the drying operation is interrupted The time chart which shows the operation | movement at the time of drying operation interruption of the clothes dryer in Embodiment 2 of this invention The time chart which shows the operation | movement at the time of drying operation interruption of the clothes dryer in Embodiment 3 of this invention The time chart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the drying driving | operation restart of the clothes dryer in Embodiment 4 of this invention Time chart showing the operation at the time of restarting the drying operation of the clothes dryer in Embodiment 5 of the present invention (A) Time chart showing the operation during compression capacity maintenance when the drying operation of the clothes dryer in the sixth embodiment of the present invention is interrupted (b) Time chart showing the operation during compression capacity reduction when the drying operation is interrupted ( c) Time chart showing operation during compression capacity reduction after elapse of the first predetermined time when the drying operation is interrupted. Partially cutaway perspective view of a washing / drying machine according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention Side sectional view of the washer / dryer Side view of a conventional clothes dryer

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Rotating drum 13 Air path 15 Blower 17 Opening / closing detection means 18 Drying operation interruption switch 19 Control means 20 Heat absorber 21 Radiator 22 Compressor 23 Throttle means 24 Pipe line 25 Heat pump device

Claims (7)

A compressor, a radiator that dissipates the heat of the compressed high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, a throttling means for reducing the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant, and a heat absorber that takes the heat from the surroundings when the decompressed and low-pressure refrigerant takes the refrigerant. A heat pump device connected by a pipe line so that it circulates, an air path that guides drying air to a drying chamber containing the heat absorber, the radiator, and clothing, and a blower that sends the drying air to the air path, Control means for controlling the drive of the compressor, the control means operates the blower and the compressor during the drying operation, and continues the operation of the compressor when the drying operation is interrupted. Clothing drying device. The clothes drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means maintains the compression capacity of the compressor when the drying operation is interrupted. The clothes drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means reduces the compression capacity of the compressor when the drying operation is interrupted to be lower than the compression capacity during the drying operation. The clothes drying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control means reduces the compression capacity of the compressor after the first predetermined time has elapsed since the drying operation was interrupted. The clothes drying apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the control means increases the compression capacity of the compressor to the compression capacity during the drying operation when the drying operation is resumed. The clothes drying apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the control means increases the compression capacity of the compressor to the compression capacity at the time of the drying operation after the second predetermined time has elapsed since the resumption of the drying operation. The clothes drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit stops the compressor when a third predetermined time has elapsed since the drying operation was interrupted.

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