JP2014150814A - Clothes dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prompt a user to supply water so that sufficient steam can be obtained to ensure a necessary amount of water in a tank.SOLUTION: The clothes dryer includes: a rotary drum 10 for housing clothes; a steam unit 1 for supplying steam in the rotary drum; a tank 3 for storing water to be supplied to the steam unit; a water supply port 23 for supplying water to the tank; water detection means 4 for detecting water in the tank; and first notification means for prompting water supply to the tank. The first notification means performs notification based on signals of the water detection means when a water level is less than a predetermined water level during a period from the time when power is supplied to the body until the time when an operation is started. Thus, water-supply work can be efficiently performed to supply an appropriate amount of water and surely store water necessary to generate sufficient steam in the tank through a course.

Description

  The present invention relates to a clothes dryer for drying wet clothes.

  In recent years, clothes dryers have been proposed that include a device for injecting steam toward clothes for wrinkle stretching. In such clothes dryers, it is necessary to supply water to the steam unit in order to generate steam, and when the user manually supplies water, a transparent water level indicator for directly checking the water level visually is provided. It is configured to be provided in front of the main body.

European Patent Application No. 2317004

  However, in such a conventional clothes dryer, the user needs to visually check the water level, and does not notice that the steam unit is not sufficiently filled with water, so that sufficient steam may not be obtained. . In addition, when the user supplies water, it is necessary to perform water supply while visually checking the water level display unit, which has a problem of poor workability.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and in the course of generating steam, the user is encouraged to supply water so that sufficient steam can be obtained, and the water necessary for generating steam is reliably stored in the tank. The object is to provide a clothes dryer that can.

  In addition, the user does not need to supply water while visually checking the water level indicator, and when an appropriate amount of water is supplied, a notification is given to stop the water supply, and a clothes dryer that improves water supply workability is provided. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a clothes dryer according to the present invention stores a rotating drum for storing clothes, a steam unit for supplying steam into the rotating drum, and water supplied to the steam unit. A tank, a water supply port for supplying water to the tank, water detection means for detecting water in the tank, and first notification means for urging water supply to the tank, and the signal of the water detection means Based on the above, when the predetermined water level is not reached in the period from when the power supply to the main body is turned on until the operation is started, the notification by the first notification means is performed.

  As a result, the user is encouraged to supply water so that sufficient steam can be obtained, and the water necessary for steam generation can be reliably stored in the tank.

  The clothes dryer of the present invention can perform water supply work efficiently, supply an appropriate amount of water, and reliably store water necessary for generating sufficient steam in a tank.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the outline of the clothes dryer in Embodiment 1 of this invention Same as above, front view showing outline of clothes dryer Sectional drawing which shows the outline of the tank of the clothes dryer The figure which shows the state transition of the water level inside the tank of the clothes dryer The flowchart which shows the alerting | reporting process by the 1st alerting | reporting means of a clothes dryer. The flowchart which shows the alerting | reporting process by the 2nd alerting | reporting means of a clothes dryer same as the above

  A first aspect of the present invention is a rotary drum that houses clothing, a steam unit that supplies steam into the rotary drum, a tank that stores water supplied to the steam unit, and a water supply port that supplies water to the tank And water detection means for detecting water in the tank, and first notification means for urging water supply to the tank, and based on a signal from the water detection means, operation is performed after power is supplied to the main body. When the predetermined water level is not reached in the period until the start, the first notification means notifies that the water is supplied in an appropriate amount, and the water necessary for generating sufficient steam through one course is ensured. By storing water in the tank, sufficient steam can be generated.

  In the second invention, in particular, after the notification by the first notification means of the first invention is started, the water is supplied and reaches the predetermined water level, and again does not reach the predetermined water level in a period until the operation is started. In this case, since the notification is not performed, the water level in the tank during water supply can be prevented from being erroneously detected, and the water level can be prevented from being erroneously detected due to vibrations of the main body.

  The third invention provides notification by the first notification means, particularly when the operation of the steam course for supplying steam into the rotating drum is set in the first or second invention, and the first During the period when the notification is performed by the notification means, the operation is not started, and when the tank needs to be supplied with water, the user is encouraged to supply the water and the tank has enough water stored. Since it was made to operate in, steam can be generated sufficiently.

  In particular, the fourth invention further comprises second notifying means for notifying that the water level in the tank of any one of the first to third inventions is not less than the predetermined water level, and the first notifying means A notification for stopping the water supply when an appropriate amount of water is supplied by detecting by the second notification means when it is detected that the water level has become equal to or higher than the predetermined level during the notification period. The water is sufficiently stored in the tank.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, the second notifying unit of the fourth aspect of the invention includes either the sound generating unit or the light emitting unit, so that the user does not need to supply water while visually checking the water level indicator. When an appropriate amount of water is supplied, a notification for stopping the water supply is made, workability of the water supply is improved, and water is sufficiently stored in the tank.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, since the second notification means of the fifth aspect of the invention comprises a buzzer, it is not necessary to look at the display section when water is supplied, and it is possible to concentrate on the water supply work, thus preventing erroneous operation and improving workability. To do.

  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)
The dryer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of a clothes dryer in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a rotary drum 10 for storing clothes is provided inside the main body 9 of the clothes dryer,
An opening 11 for a user to put in clothes from the front of the main body 9 is formed in front of the rotary drum 10, and a door 12 for opening and closing the opening 11 is installed in front of the main body 9.

  Inside the rotary drum 10, the wet clothes are dried, and a dehumidified water tank 13 for temporarily storing dehumidified water separated from the wet steam generated by the drying is installed at the lower part of the rotary drum 10. The stored water is sent to a drainage tank 15 provided on the rotary drum 10 via the dehumidifying water hose 14 and stored.

  A steam unit 1 that generates steam for supplying steam to the inside of the rotating drum 10 is provided below the rotating drum 10.

  The steam unit 1 has a steam heater (not shown) for instantaneously heating water supplied into the steam unit 1 to generate high temperature steam of 100 ° C. or higher. The steam unit 1 has a chamber (not shown) for evaporating and vaporizing the supplied water, and a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the outer shell constituting the chamber. The steam generated in the steam unit 1 is supplied from the steam generation port 8 into the rotary drum 10 through the steam supply pipe 16. Thus, by supplying high temperature steam to the clothes accommodated in the rotating drum 10, wrinkle reduction and deodorizing effects are exhibited.

  A tank 3 for storing water used for generating steam in the steam unit 1 is provided at the lower portion of the main body 9. The tank 3 and the steam unit 1 are connected by a water supply pipe 6, and the water stored in the tank 3 is supplied by the steam pump 7 through the water supply pipe 6 into the steam unit 1. The steam generated inside the steam unit 1 passes through the steam supply pipe 16 and is discharged from the steam generation port 8 to the rotary drum 10.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing an outline of the clothes dryer in the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, an operation display unit 20 for performing operation and display is provided above the opening 11 on the front surface of the main body 9 of the dryer. The main body 9 is turned on, a course for generating steam, a drying course, and the like. Make settings while checking the driving course. The operation display unit 20 also displays the state of the water level inside the tank 3. A buzzer 19 is provided inside the main body 9 as sound generating means for generating sound, and notifies the operation status of the main body 9 and the water level in the tank 3.

  As other means for notifying the state of the water level inside the tank 3, a light emitting means 41 provided at the upper part of the main body 9 and a light emitting means 42 provided near the water supply port 23 at the lower part of the main body 9 are provided. The light emitting means 41 and the light emitting means 42 are made of light emitting elements such as LEDs. A water supply port 23 for supplying water to the tank 3 is provided in the lower left part of the main body 9.

  Input / output to the operation display unit 20, output to the buzzer 19, light emitting unit 41, light emitting unit 42, and control of the driving course set by the operation display unit 20 are controlled by a control unit 43 provided inside the main body 9. Is done.

  FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of the tank 3 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the tank 3 includes a water storage unit 21 and a hose joint 22 that connects the water supply pipe 6, and the water detection means 4 is provided inside the hose joint 22. The water supplied from the water supply port 23 is stored in the water storage unit 21, and the water stored in the water storage unit 21 is supplied into the steam unit 1 through the water supply pipe 6 by the steam pump 7.

The water detection means 4 detects the water level in the water storage unit 21 and detects whether or not the predetermined water level has been reached. The water detection means 4 comprises a float SW, and outputs the detected water level state to the control means 43 as a signal. Based on the signal from the water detection means 4, the control means 43 operates the operation display unit 20, the buzzer 19, the light emission means 41, and the light emission means 42 to notify the user of the state of the water level in the tank 3.

  In the present embodiment, the float SW is exemplified as the water detection means, but the same effect can be obtained by using the electrode SW that detects water based on a change in resistance value between a plurality of electrodes.

  The operation and action will be described below.

  When the power of the dryer is turned on, a course to be operated is set by operating the operation display unit 20. When the course for generating steam is selected, the control unit 43 determines whether the water in the tank 3 is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level or lower than the predetermined water level based on the signal from the water detection unit 4.

  When the control means 43 obtains a signal from the water detection means that the water in the tank 3 is less than the predetermined water level, there is a possibility that sufficient steam cannot be generated through one course. Notification. In the first notification, the control means 43 alerts the user by operating the operation display unit 20, the buzzer 19, the light emitting means 41, and the light emitting means 42. Thus, the 1st alerting | reporting means which prompts water supply contains any one of the operation display part 20, the buzzer 19, the light emission means 41, and the light emission means 42. FIG.

  When the control means 43 obtains a signal from the water detection means that the water in the tank 3 is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level, the control means 43 can generate sufficient steam through one course, so the first notification for prompting water supply is not performed. The operation display unit 20 displays that there is sufficient water in the tank 3. However, as will be described later, when the water detection means signal that the water in the tank 3 is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level is obtained after the start of the first notification, the first notification is terminated and the water in the tank 3 is discharged. A second notification is made to notify that there is enough. In the second notification, the control means 43 alerts the user by operating the operation display unit 20, the buzzer 19, the light emitting means 41, and the light emitting means 42. The second notification means for notifying that the water level in the tank is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level includes any one of the operation display unit 20, the buzzer 19, the light emitting means 41, and the light emitting means 42.

  As described above, when the water is not sufficiently stored in the tank 3 after the power is turned on, the water is urged to be supplied to the user so that the water of the predetermined level or more is reliably stored in the tank 3. Sufficient steam can be generated throughout the course. The generated steam is sufficiently supplied to the clothes in the rotary drum 10 and exhibits effects such as wrinkle stretching.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state transition of the water level inside the tank 3 from the power-on to the start of operation.

  When the control means 43 obtains a signal from the water detection means that the water in the tank 3 is less than a predetermined water level when the power is turned on, the water stored in the steam unit 1 is insufficient. This shows a state where the water in the tank 3 is less than a predetermined water level and the amount of stored water is insufficient.

  In addition, when the signal of the water detection means that the water in the tank 3 is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level is obtained when the power is turned on, sufficient steam can be generated through one course. State B in the figure shows a state where the water in the tank 3 is above a predetermined water level and the amount of stored water is sufficient.

  As shown in pattern 1, when the control means 43 obtains a signal from the water detection means that the water in the tank 3 is less than a predetermined water level when the power is turned on, the control means 43 determines that the state is A, and during the period of the state A, 1 is notified and water is urged to the user. After that, at time t1, when the water detection means signal that the water in the tank 3 is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level is obtained, it is determined that the tank 3 is in a state B where water is supplied and sufficient steam can be generated through one course. The first notification is terminated.

  As shown in Pattern 2, when the water detection means signal that the water in the tank 3 is below a predetermined water level is obtained when the power is turned on, it is determined that the state is A, and the first notification is started during the period of the state A And alert the user to the water supply. After that, at time t1, when the water detection means signal that the water in the tank 3 is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level is obtained, it is determined that the tank 3 is in a state B where water is supplied and sufficient steam can be generated through one course. The first notification is terminated. After that, when a signal from the water detection means that the water in the tank 3 is lower than the predetermined water level is obtained at time t2, it is determined that the water in the tank 3 is in the state B where the water in the tank 3 is higher than the predetermined water level and the water storage amount is sufficient However, the first notification is not performed.

  This is because, for example, water is supplied from the water supply port 23 and the water in the tank 3 undulates, so that the signal of the water detection means 4 may repeat a predetermined water level or higher and lower than a predetermined water level. As described above, in order to prevent notification for prompting water supply when the water level in the tank 3 is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level and the water surface is undulated to detect that the water level is lower than the predetermined water level, notification by the first notification means is performed. In this case, when the water is supplied and reaches the predetermined water level until the predetermined water level is not reached again during the period until the operation is started, no notification is given.

  As shown in the pattern 3, the control means 43 does not perform the first notification during the period of the state B when it is in the state B when the power is turned on. Thereafter, when the water detection means signal that the water in the tank 3 is less than the predetermined water level is obtained at time t1 from time t0 when the power is turned on to time t3 when the operation is started, the control means 43 Then, it is determined that the state is a water shortage state, and the first notification is performed.

  As described above, since the amount of water stored in the tank 3 can be detected accurately without erroneous detection, a predetermined amount of water can be secured in the tank 3 and sufficient steam can be obtained.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the notification process by the first notification means of the clothes dryer, and shows the relationship between the setting of the operation course of the clothes dryer and the first notification. In the figure, S indicates a step.

  In FIG. 5, the power is turned on (step 1), and it is determined by the water detection means 4 whether or not the water in the tank 3 has reached a predetermined water level (step 2). When the water in the tank 3 has reached the predetermined water level, it is determined that the water storage amount B is sufficient as described above, and the first notification is not performed (step 6).

  When the signal of the water detection means that the water in the tank 3 is less than the predetermined water level is obtained in step 2, it is determined that the state is A, and then the user does not select the course using steam (step 3) Since there is no need to generate steam, the first notification is not performed (step 6).

  In step 2, a signal from the water detection means that the water in the tank 3 is less than a predetermined water level is obtained, and it is determined that the state is A. In step 3, if the user selects a course that uses steam, (Step 4) During the period of the state A, the first notification is started and water is urged to the user (Step 5).

  However, even if the signal of the water detection means that the water in the tank 3 is lower than the predetermined water level is obtained in step 2, if the operation is started in step 4, the first notification is not performed (step 6). . This is because, before the start of operation, the operation of the water detection means that the water level within the tank 3 is above a predetermined level is obtained, and the operation is started in a state where sufficient water can be generated through one course. Therefore, the first notification is not performed after the start of operation.

  As described above, the first notifying means that prompts the user to supply water only when the water in the tank 3 is less than the predetermined water level and the amount of stored water is insufficient before operating the course for generating steam. Notification is performed.

  In addition, during the first notification period for prompting water supply, since sufficient steam is not obtained, the start SW for starting the operation is not accepted. Since the start SW is not accepted during the first notification period for prompting water supply, the operation cannot be started in a state where a predetermined amount of water is not secured in the tank 3. Therefore, it is necessary to secure a predetermined amount of water in order to start the operation, and when the operation is started, sufficient steam is always generated through one course.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the notification process by the second notification means of the clothes dryer, and shows the relationship between the water level in the tank and the second notification after the notification for prompting water supply is started. In the figure, S indicates a step.

  In FIG. 6, during the first notification for promoting water supply in the state A where the water in the tank 3 is less than the predetermined water level and the amount of stored water is insufficient (step 10), the water in the tank 3 When the water detection means 4 signal that the water level is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level is obtained (step 11), the control means 43 terminates the first notification for prompting water supply and notifies that there is sufficient water in the tank 3. The second notification is performed (step 12).

  When both the first notification means and the second notification means are used, notification is performed so that the difference between the first notification and the second notification is understood. For example, in the case of the operation display unit 20, “suppli” is displayed as the first notification, and “fill” is displayed as the second notification. In the case of the buzzer 19, the tone color is changed at the time of the first notification and the second notification. In the case of the light emitting means 41 or the light emitting means 42, the emission color, the blinking pitch, the presence / absence of lighting, etc. are changed at the time of the first notification and the second notification.

  Normally, when the user manually supplies water, the user supplies water while looking at the water supply port 23. At this time, for example, by blowing the buzzer 19 as the second notification means, the user can easily know that the water in the tank 3 has reached the predetermined water level by the buzzer sound. Water supply can be performed and workability can be improved. In addition, the user can easily know that the water in the tank 3 has reached the predetermined water level by performing the second notification by the light emitting means 42 provided in the vicinity of the water supply port 23.

  In this way, the user can easily understand that the water in the tank 3 has reached a predetermined water level or more due to blowing by the buzzer 19 or display by the light emitting means 42, overflowing from the water supply port 23 due to excessive water supply, etc. Can prevent misoperation. In particular, according to the notification by the buzzer 19, since it is not necessary to look at the display when water is supplied and the user can concentrate on the water supply work, erroneous operation can be prevented and workability can be further improved.

  As described above, since the clothes dryer according to the present invention notifies the user according to the water storage status in the tank, it becomes possible to secure an appropriate amount of water in the tank while performing the water supply work easily, and the clothes dryer For example, the present invention can be applied to household appliances and commercial appliances having tanks for storing water in advance, such as humidifiers and microwave ovens with steam.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steam unit 3 Tank 4 Water detection means 6 Water supply pipe 7 Steam pump 8 Steam generating port 9 Main body 10 Rotating drum 11 Opening 12 Door 13 Dehumidification water tank 14 Dehumidification water hose 15 Drain tank 16 Steam supply pipe 19 Buzzer 20 Operation display part 21 Water storage part 22 Hose joint 23 Water supply port

Claims (6)

A rotating drum for storing clothing; a steam unit for supplying steam into the rotating drum; a tank for storing water supplied to the steam unit; a water supply port for supplying water to the tank; In a period from when power is supplied to the main body to when the operation is started based on a signal from the water detection means, the water detection means for detecting water and a first notification means for urging water supply to the tank A clothes dryer characterized by performing notification by the first notification means when the predetermined water level is not reached. The system according to claim 1, wherein after the notification by the first notification means is started, water is supplied to reach the predetermined water level and is not notified when the predetermined water level is not reached again in a period until the operation is started. The clothes dryer described. When the operation of the steam course for supplying steam into the rotating drum is set, notification is performed by the first notification means, and operation is started during a period when the notification is performed by the first notification means. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the clothes dryer is not used. It is further provided with a second notification means for notifying that the water level in the tank is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level, and the water level has become equal to or higher than the predetermined water level during the period when the notification is performed by the first notification means. The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein upon detection, notification by the second notification means is performed. The clothes dryer according to claim 4, wherein the second notifying unit includes either a sound generating unit or a light emitting unit. The clothes dryer according to claim 5, wherein the second notification means includes a buzzer.