JP2020116098A - Dryer, control device and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technology which controls a dryer for drying an object to be dried more appropriately by applying electromagnetic waves.SOLUTION: A washing and drying machine 50 includes: a rotary tub 1 for storing an object to be dried; a door body 5 opened for putting/taking the object to be dried into/out of the rotary tub 1; a microwave application part 31 for applying electromagnetic waves to the inside of the rotary tub 1 for drying the object to be dried by heating moisture contained in the object to be dried stored in the rotary tub 1; an electromagnetic wave shield composed of at least the door body 5 and the rotary tub 1 and for suppressing the leakage of the electromagnetic waves applied from the microwave application part 31; and a microwave detection part provided outside of the electromagnetic wave shield and for detecting the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic waves.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a dryer for drying an object to be dried such as clothes, a control device for controlling the dryer, and a control program.

As a method for increasing the drying performance of a clothes dryer or a washer/dryer, there is a method of using a microwave as a heat source for heating the moisture of clothes (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). According to this method, the moisture of the clothing can be quickly evaporated by irradiating the clothing with microwaves and directly heating the moisture of the clothing, so that it is compared with the warm air drying using the conventional heater or heat pump. Therefore, clothes can be dried in a short time.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a conventional clothes dryer described in Patent Document 1. This clothes dryer includes a microwave irradiator 101 for irradiating clothes with microwaves, a clothes store 102 for storing clothes, a blower 103 for taking in outside air into the clothes store 102 and sending out air from the clothes store 102, and clothes. Heater 104 for drying the microwave, microwave control means 105 for controlling the microwave irradiation means 101, microwave reflection detection means 106 for detecting the state of reflection of microwaves, and control for controlling the microwave control means 105. The circuit 107 is provided.

The clothes dryer of this configuration can shorten the drying time of clothes when the water content of the clothes is about 30% or less by directly heating the water attached to the clothes fibers by the microwave. Further, when the clothing is provided with a metal button or the like, it is possible to detect that the reflected wave of the microwave is abnormal and stop the irradiation of the microwave.

JP, 2008-000249, A

When metal such as buttons and fasteners is attached to the clothes stored in the clothes store 102, it is dangerous if the electric field strength of microwaves in the clothes store 102 becomes strong and sparks are generated. A technique that can further reduce the occurrence of sparks even when stored is essential.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for more appropriately controlling a dryer that dries an object to be dried by irradiating an electromagnetic wave.

In order to solve the above problems, a dryer according to an aspect of the present invention is a tank that stores a drying object, a door body that is opened to put the drying object into and out of the tank, and a drying that is housed in the tank. Irradiation part that irradiates electromagnetic waves into the tank to heat the moisture contained in the object to dry the object and at least the door and the tank, and suppress the leakage of electromagnetic waves emitted from the irradiation part An electromagnetic wave shield for doing so, and a detection unit that is provided outside the electromagnetic wave shield and detects the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave.

Another aspect of the present invention is also a dryer. This dryer includes a tank for containing an object to be dried, a door body opened to put the object to be dried in and out of the tank, and an object to be dried by heating water contained in the object to be dried contained in the tank. An irradiation unit that irradiates the inside of the tank with electromagnetic waves for drying an object, and a detection unit that is provided inside the tank and the door and detects the intensity of the electromagnetic waves inside the tank are provided.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a control device. This control device, when the electromagnetic waves are radiated into the tank to heat the moisture contained in the drying object contained in the tank to dry the drying object, the intensity of the electromagnetic waves leaked from the tank, or An intensity acquisition unit that acquires the intensity of the electromagnetic waves in the tank, and an output adjustment unit that adjusts the output of the irradiation unit that irradiates the electromagnetic waves into the tank according to the intensity of the electromagnetic waves acquired by the intensity acquisition unit.

It should be noted that any combination of the above constituent elements, and the expression of the present invention converted between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for more appropriately controlling a dryer that dries an object to be dried by irradiating an electromagnetic wave.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the washing-drying machine which concerns on Embodiment 1 schematically. It is a figure which shows the structure of the microwave heating apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. It is a figure which shows the structure of the microwave control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. It is a figure which shows the example of the intensity|strength and water content of the leakage electromagnetic wave detected by the microwave detection part. It is a figure which shows the example of adjustment of the output of the microwave irradiation part by an output adjustment part in a to-be-dried object and drying time. It is a figure which shows the relationship of the intensity of an incident wave, a reflected wave, and a leak electromagnetic wave. It is a figure which shows the structure of the washing-drying machine which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is a figure which shows the example of the intensity|strength and water content of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank detected by the microwave detection part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the microwave control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a figure which shows the example of the frequency of the electromagnetic wave in a rotary tank, or the leaked electromagnetic wave detected by the microwave detection part of the washing-drying machine which concerns on Embodiment 3, and its intensity. It is a figure which shows the intensity|strength of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank detected by the microwave detection part of the washing-drying machine which concerns on Embodiment 3, and the relationship of water content. It is a figure which shows the structure of the microwave heating apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4. It is a figure which shows the structure of the microwave control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4. It is a figure which shows the structure of the washing-drying machine which concerns on Embodiment 5. It is a figure which shows the structure of the water content estimation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5. It is a figure which shows the structure of the microwave controller with which the water content estimation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5 is equipped. It is a block diagram of the conventional clothes dryer described in patent document 1.

A dryer according to a first aspect of the present invention heats water contained in a tank for containing an object to be dried, a door body opened to put the object to be dried into and out of the tank, and water contained in the object to be dried contained in the tank. And an electromagnetic wave shield configured to at least include a door and a tank for irradiating electromagnetic waves into the tank to dry an object to be dried, and an electromagnetic wave shield for suppressing leakage of electromagnetic waves emitted from the irradiation section, and an electromagnetic wave shield. And a detection unit that is provided on the outer side of the detection unit for detecting the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave. According to this aspect, the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave outside the electromagnetic wave shield can be detected more accurately, so that the intensity of the electromagnetic wave inside the tank can be controlled more accurately.

A dryer according to a second aspect of the present invention heats water contained in a tank for containing an object to be dried, a door opened to put the object to be dried in and out of the tank, and water contained in the object to be dried contained in the tank. Then, an irradiation unit for irradiating the inside of the tank with electromagnetic waves for drying the object to be dried, and a detection unit provided inside the tank and the door for detecting the intensity of the electromagnetic waves in the tank are provided. According to this aspect, since the intensity of the electromagnetic wave in the tank can be detected more accurately, the intensity of the electromagnetic wave in the tank can be controlled more accurately.

3rd invention is a 1st or 2nd invention, an irradiation part irradiates an electromagnetic wave with a frequency of 2.45 GHz band or 915 MHz band in a tank, and a detection part has a frequency of 2.45 GHz band or 915 MHz band. Is configured to detect the intensity of the electromagnetic wave. According to this aspect, the intensity of the electromagnetic wave outside the electromagnetic wave shield or inside the tank can be accurately detected by using the microwave in the frequency band in which the microwave heating device can be used.

4th invention is a 1st to 3rd invention, Comprising: The control part which controls an irradiation part is further provided, A control part is an intensity|strength acquisition part which acquires the intensity|strength of the electromagnetic wave detected by the detection part, The output adjusting unit adjusts the output of the irradiation unit according to the intensity of the electromagnetic wave acquired by the intensity acquiring unit. According to this aspect, it is possible to more accurately control the intensity of the electromagnetic wave inside the tank and suppress the occurrence of sparks.

In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the output adjustment section is configured to reduce the output of the irradiation section when the intensity of the electromagnetic wave acquired by the intensity acquisition section exceeds a predetermined value. .. According to this aspect, it is possible to more accurately control the intensity of the electromagnetic wave inside the tank and suppress the occurrence of sparks.

6th invention is a 4th or 5th invention, an irradiation part can change the frequency of the electromagnetic wave with which the inside of a tank is irradiated, and a control part has an irradiation part inside a tank during the drying of the drying target object. Further comprising a frequency changing unit for changing the frequency of the electromagnetic waves to be irradiated, the intensity acquisition unit, during the drying of the drying object, acquires the intensity of each of the electromagnetic waves of different frequencies from the detection unit, the output adjustment unit, The output of the irradiation unit is adjusted according to the respective intensities of electromagnetic waves of different frequencies acquired by the intensity acquisition unit. According to this aspect, the intensity of the electromagnetic wave outside the electromagnetic wave shield or inside the tank can be detected more accurately, so that the intensity of the electromagnetic wave inside the tank can be controlled more accurately and the occurrence of sparks can be suppressed.

7th invention is a 4th or 5th invention, Comprising: The 2nd irradiation part which irradiates the electromagnetic wave of a several different frequency in a tank is further provided, and a control part is a 2nd irradiation part during drying of a drying target. The irradiation unit further includes a frequency changing unit that changes the frequency of the electromagnetic waves with which the bath is irradiated, and the intensity acquisition unit acquires the intensities of electromagnetic waves of different frequencies from the detection unit during drying of the object to be dried. The output adjustment unit is configured to adjust the output of the irradiation unit according to the respective intensities of the electromagnetic waves of different frequencies acquired by the intensity acquisition unit. According to this aspect, it is possible to more accurately control the intensity of the electromagnetic wave inside the tank and suppress the occurrence of sparks.

In an eighth aspect based on the seventh aspect, the second irradiation section is configured to irradiate the inside of the tank with an electromagnetic wave having a frequency different from the electromagnetic wave with which the irradiation section irradiates the inside of the tank. According to this aspect, it is possible to more accurately control the intensity of the electromagnetic wave inside the tank and suppress the occurrence of sparks.

In a ninth aspect based on the seventh or eighth aspect, the second irradiating section is configured to irradiate the inside of the tank with an electromagnetic wave having a lower intensity than that of the irradiating section. According to this aspect, since the low output irradiation unit can be used, the manufacturing cost of the dryer can be reduced.

In a tenth aspect based on any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, the output adjusting section controls the output of the irradiating section when the average value of the intensities of electromagnetic waves of different frequencies exceeds a predetermined value. It is configured to be low. According to this aspect, it is possible to more accurately control the intensity of the electromagnetic wave inside the tank and suppress the occurrence of sparks.

In an eleventh invention according to any one of the fourth to tenth inventions, the control unit dries based on a ratio of the intensity of the electromagnetic wave with which the tank is irradiated and the intensity of the electromagnetic wave detected by the detection unit. It is configured to further include a water content estimation unit that estimates the amount of water contained in the object. According to this aspect, the amount of water contained in the object to be dried can be estimated more accurately.

In a twelfth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, the output adjustment section is configured to reduce the output of the irradiation section when the amount of water estimated by the water content estimation section falls below a predetermined value. is there. According to this aspect, it is possible to more accurately control the intensity of the electromagnetic wave inside the tank and suppress the occurrence of sparks. Further, when the amount of water has decreased to a predetermined value for completion of drying, the output of the irradiation unit is stopped, and the control unit can end the drying process.

In a thirteenth invention according to any one of the first to twelfth inventions, the tub is provided with a laundry, the contained laundry is provided so as to be washable with wash water, and the irradiation unit is accommodated in the tub. When washing laundry, irradiate the inside of the tank with electromagnetic waves to heat the wash water, and when drying the object to be dried stored in the tank, heat the water contained in the object to be dried. In order to do so, the bath is configured to be irradiated with electromagnetic waves. According to this aspect, the efficiency and effect of washing and drying can be improved.

A fourteenth invention is the laundry or drying object according to the thirteenth invention, in which electromagnetic waves are radiated from the irradiation unit into the tub to heat the moisture contained in the laundry or the object to be dried contained in the tub. It is configured to have a function of heat sterilizing. According to this aspect, the added value of the dryer can be improved.

A control device according to a fifteenth invention is an electromagnetic wave leaked from a tank when the tank is irradiated with an electromagnetic wave to heat the water contained in the object to be dried to dry the object to be dried. Intensity, or an intensity acquisition unit that acquires the intensity of the electromagnetic waves in the tank, and an output adjustment unit that adjusts the output of the irradiation unit that irradiates the electromagnetic waves in the tank according to the intensity of the electromagnetic waves acquired by the intensity acquisition unit. , Is provided. According to this aspect, it is possible to more accurately control the intensity of the electromagnetic wave inside the tank and suppress the occurrence of sparks. Further, when the amount of water is reduced to a predetermined value which indicates completion of drying, the output of the irradiation unit can be stopped and the drying process can be ended.

A control program according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to control the computer when the electromagnetic waves are radiated into the tank to heat the moisture contained in the object to be dried contained in the tank to dry the object to be dried. Output adjustment that adjusts the output of the irradiation unit that irradiates electromagnetic waves in the tank according to the strength of the leaked electromagnetic waves or the strength of the electromagnetic waves acquired by the strength acquisition unit that acquires the strength of electromagnetic waves in the tank. Function as a department. According to this aspect, it is possible to more accurately control the intensity of the electromagnetic wave inside the tank and suppress the occurrence of sparks.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Further, there is no problem in combining the contents described in the plurality of embodiments within a possible range.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the washer/dryer according to the first embodiment. The washing/drying machine 50 of the present embodiment has a function of washing and drying laundry such as clothes, and can be used as a washing machine that performs only the washing function or a drying machine that only performs the drying function. It also functions as a washer/dryer that performs the washing and drying functions.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washer/dryer 50 includes a water tank 3 having a bottomed cylindrical shape in which washing water is stored. The water tank 3 is swingably supported in the housing 2 (main body) by a damper 4 provided below the water tank 3. A rotary tub 1 in which laundry such as clothes (also referred to as “drying target when referring to a drying function”) is housed is rotatably provided in a water tub 3. The rotary tank 1 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The rotary tank 1 is provided with its rotation axis inclined forward and upward with respect to the horizontal.

A drive motor 6 is attached to the back surface of the water tank 3. The drive motor 6 rotates the rotary tank 1 in the forward and reverse directions around the rotation axis. The washer/dryer 50 rotates the rotary tub 1 by driving the drive motor 6 to wash and wash the laundry contained in the rotary tub 1 with stirring, rinsing, and drying.

At the front part of the housing 2, a door body 5 is provided so as to face the open end sides of the rotary tank 1 and the water tank 3. A user can put laundry in (clothes) in and out of the rotary tub 1 by opening the door 5.

Further, an elastic seal member is provided along the entire circumference at the edge of the front opening of the water tank 3. When the user closes the door body 5, the seal member is pressed by the door body 5 and elastically deformed, thereby ensuring the watertightness and airtightness of the water tank 3 to the outside of the machine.

The water supply pipe 13 is connected to the upper part of the water tank 3. The water supply valve 12 is provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 13. The water supply valve 12 supplies water into the water tank 3 via the water supply pipe 13. A drain pipe 11 is connected to the bottom of the water tank 3. The drain valve 10 is provided in the middle of the drain pipe 11. The drain valve 10 discharges the water in the water tank 3 to the outside of the machine via the drain pipe 11.

A damper 4 is provided below the water tank 3. The damper 4 supports the water tank 3 and damps vibrations of the water tank 3 caused by uneven distribution of clothes in the rotary tank 1 during dehydration. A cloth amount detector (not shown) is attached to the damper 4. The cloth amount detection unit detects the amount of displacement in which the shaft of the damper 4 is vertically displaced due to the weight change due to the clothes in the rotary tub 1. The washer/dryer detects the amount of clothes in the rotary tub 1 based on the amount of displacement detected by the cloth amount detector.

The washer/dryer 50 also includes a circulation air passage 7 for circulating the air in the water tub 3 and the rotary tub 1, and a microwave heating device 30 for heating the moisture of the clothes in the rotary tub 1. The microwave heating device 30 that constitutes a heating unit that heats an object to be dried irradiates a microwave, which is a kind of electromagnetic wave, into the rotary tank 1 from a microwave irradiation port 32 provided in the water tank 3, and the rotary tank 1 Heat the moisture in the clothes inside.

The circulation air passage 7 is configured as an air circulation air passage for drying clothes in the drying process. A water tank 3 and a rotary tank 1 are included in the air circulation air passage. The circulation air passage 7 is connected to the air outlet 8 (drying air outlet) provided on the upper side surface of the water tank 3, the outlet 9 (drying air outlet) provided on the rear side surface of the water tank 3, and the water tank 3. It is provided by connecting.

The blower fan 16 is provided in the circulation air passage 7 as a blower. The blower fan 16 circulates the drying air in the water tank 3 and the rotary tank 1 in the circulation air passage 7.

An intake air passage 14 and an exhaust air passage 15 are connected to the circulation air passage 7, respectively. The intake air passage 14 takes in the air in the housing 2 into the circulation air passage 7. The exhaust air passage 15 exhausts the air in the circulation air passage 7 to the outside of the circulation air passage 7. The ends of the intake air passage 14 and the exhaust air passage 15 that are not connected to the circulation air passage 7 are open to the outside of the circulation air passage 7. The exhaust air passage 15 is provided upstream of the intake air passage 14 in the flow of the drying air. Further, the air may be discharged to the outside of the circulation air passage 7 through the drain pipe 11 without providing the exhaust air passage 15.

A heater 17 for heating the drying air is incorporated in the circulation air passage 7. The heater 17 is provided downstream of the intake air passage 14 and in front of the outlet of the water tank 3. Like the microwave heating device 30, the heater 17 also constitutes a heating unit for heating an object to be dried, and is energized simultaneously with the microwave heating device 30 or in place of the microwave heating device 30. In addition, as a method of heating the object to be dried by the heating unit, a method of directly heating by a microwave, a method of heating the circulating air by a heater or the like, or a method of heating the inner wall of the rotary tank 1 to indirectly heat is performed. There is a method, etc., and the method is not particularly limited.

The washer/dryer 50 according to the present embodiment dries an object to be dried by microwaves that are radiated from the microwave heating device 30 into the rotary tub 1 through the microwave irradiation port 32. When metal such as buttons and fasteners is attached to the surface of the heater and the possibility of sparking is high, the microwave output from the microwave heating device 30 is reduced or stopped to turn on the heater 17. Switch to drying by.

In the washer/dryer 50 of the present embodiment, microwaves are radiated into the rotary tub 1, so that the intensity of the electromagnetic waves leaking to the outside of the washer/dryer 50 becomes equal to or lower than the reference value set in the area in which it is used. Need to be configured. Therefore, the washer/dryer 50 of the present embodiment includes an electromagnetic wave shield for suppressing the leakage of the electromagnetic wave emitted from the microwave irradiation port 32. The electromagnetic wave shield is composed of at least the door body 5 and the rotary tank 1. For example, the electromagnetic wave shield is formed from a door body 5 and a rotating tank 1 formed of a material containing an electromagnetic wave shielding material such as metal capable of reflecting or absorbing microwaves, and a gap between the door body 5 and the rotating tank 1. It may be configured by a choke structure formed at the contact point between the door body 5 and the rotary tank 1 in order to shield or attenuate the leaking electromagnetic waves. As the choke structure, any choke structure known in the technical field such as a microwave oven can be adopted. Part or all of the water tank 3 or the housing 2 may be formed of a material including an electromagnetic wave shielding material.

As a standard for leaked electromagnetic waves, for example, the Japanese Industrial Standard “JIS that specifies a microwave oven with a rated high frequency output of 2 kW or less for heating food by an electromagnetic wave (microwave) having a frequency of 2.45 GHz and a microwave oven having an additional device There is C9250". According to 5.8 of the same standard, "The power density of the leaked radio wave measured by the power density test of the leaked radio wave specified in 8.2.12 of the same standard is (1) when the door is closed, 1 mW/cm ² or less, (2) 5 mW/cm ² or less when the door is opened and fixed to the maximum position immediately before the oscillation stop device of the oscillation tube operates, and (3) Main oscillation 5 mW/cm ² or less when the oscillation stopping device other than the stopping device is restrained.” In addition, the attached table 8 of the notice regarding the interpretation of the "Ministerial Ordinance that defines the technical standards for electrical appliances" that defines the technical standards specified by the Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry prescribed in Article 8 paragraph 1 of the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law Almost the same contents are defined in the paragraph 2(95). For washing and drying machines, the same standards as for microwave ovens are considered to be valid.

In addition, it is recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization) to adopt the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which is based on scientific evidence by experts in each country, as the exposure limit value for human body protection. There is. In this guideline, the exposure limit value is specified as 0.08 W/kg (1 mW/cm ² ). The international standard “IEC62233” established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the Japanese Industrial Standard “JIS 1912” established on the basis of the standard, measure electromagnetic fields related to human body exposure from household electrical equipment and similar equipment. The method is specified. In the measurement method specified in the same standard, the electromagnetic field is measured as a ratio to the exposure limit value by weighting the signal of the sensor that detects the electromagnetic field, and the exposure limit value specified in the ICNIRP guidelines. If it does not exceed, it is judged to meet the ICNIRP guidelines. The electromagnetic shield is configured to comply with these standards.

Next, the flow of dry air will be described. When the blower fan 16 is driven, the drying air that has become humid due to the moisture taken from the laundry in the rotary tub 1 passes through the exhaust port 9 provided at the lower portion of the side surface of the water tub 3 and circulates. It flows into the passage 7 or the exhaust air passage 15. When the exhaust air passage 15 is not provided, the air flows into the circulation air passage 7 or the drain pipe 11. The air flowing into the exhaust air passage 15 is exhausted to the outside of the circulation air passage 7. On the other hand, the air flowing into the circulation air passage 7 is sent toward the heater 17 by the blower fan 16 and is heated by the heater 17 when the heater 17 is operating.

The intake air passage 14 is provided so as to communicate with the circulation air passage 7 on the intake side of the blower fan 16. The intake air passage 14 is also provided so as to communicate with the circulation air passage 7 on the upstream side of the heater 17. Therefore, the air outside the circulation air passage 7 sucked from the intake air passage 14 is mixed with the drying air flowing to the circulation air passage 7 side, and then passes through the heater 17. At this time, when the heater is operating, the mixed air is heated by the heater 17. Further, since the air outside the circulation air passage 7 is mixed with the drying air, the humidity of the drying air after mixing becomes lower than that before mixing.

The air that has passed through the heater 17 passes through the air outlet 8 and is blown out into the rotary tank 1 again. It should be noted that the clothes dryer having no washing function is not provided with the water tank 3, the water supply valve 12, the water supply pipe 13, and the drain valve 10 for storing the wash water. The rotating tank 1 and the circulating air passage 7 are connected to each other so that the rotating tank 1 slides on a seal member such as felt.

The inflow temperature detection unit 18 is provided in the circulation air passage 7 near the air outlet 8 or near the heater 17. The inflow temperature detection unit 18 detects the temperature of the drying air flowing into the rotary tank 1. The inflow temperature detection unit 18 is composed of, for example, a thermistor or the like.

The control device 20 is provided in the housing 2. The control device 20 controls the blower fan 16, the microwave heating device 30, and the like. The controller 20 also controls the drive motor 6, the water supply valve 12, the drain valve 10, and the like to sequentially execute the steps of cleaning, rinsing, and drying.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the microwave heating device 30 according to the first embodiment. The microwave heating device 30 includes a microwave irradiation unit 31, a waveguide 34, a microwave irradiation port 32, a microwave control device 40, a reflection unit 33, and a microwave detection unit 36. .. The microwave irradiation unit 31 irradiates microwaves. The waveguide 34 guides the irradiated microwave into the rotary tank 1. The microwave irradiation port 32 is provided in the water tank 3 at the tip of the waveguide 34. The microwave control device 40 adjusts the output of the microwave radiated from the microwave radiating unit 31. The reflection unit 33 is provided between the microwave irradiation unit 31 and the microwave irradiation port 32, and reflects a part or all of the microwave reflected from the rotary tank 1 to irradiate it into the rotary tank 1. The microwave detection unit 36 is provided outside the electromagnetic wave shield and detects the intensity of the microwave leaked to the outside of the electromagnetic wave shield.

The microwave irradiator 31 is a microwave oscillator such as a magnetron, and oscillates an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 2.45 GHz band that can be used by a microwave heating device. Note that the electromagnetic wave is not limited to the 2.45 GHz band assigned as the ISM (Industry Science Medical) band, but may be an electromagnetic wave having a frequency such as the 915 MHz band similarly assigned. The microwave irradiating unit 31 irradiates the microwave whose output has been adjusted by the microwave control device 40. The irradiated microwave is irradiated through the waveguide 34 and the microwave irradiation port 32 into the rotating rotary tank 1 to heat the moisture contained in the object to be dried such as clothes. At this time, by blowing the drying air from the blower fan 16 to the clothes in the rotary tub 1, the moisture evaporated from the object to be dried is discharged from the discharge port 9 through the exhaust air duct 15 to the outside of the water tub 3 together with the drying air. Is discharged to. Alternatively, it is discharged to the outside of the water tank 3 through the drain pipe 11. This promotes the drying of the clothes.

Among the microwaves radiated in the rotary tank 1, a part of the microwaves not absorbed by the water contained in the object to be dried is radiated as a reflected wave from the rotary tank 1 through the microwave irradiation port 32. Return to part 31. The microwave returned to the microwave irradiator 31 is converted into heat and processed as waste heat.

The microwave detector 36 can detect the microwave of the frequency of 2.45 GHz irradiated by the microwave irradiator 31, and detects the intensity of the microwave leaked to the outside of the electromagnetic wave shield. As will be described later, when estimating the amount of water contained in the object to be dried, based on the ratio of the intensity of the electromagnetic wave radiated in the rotary tank 1 to the intensity of the electromagnetic wave leaked to the outside of the electromagnetic wave shield. Also detects the intensity of the microwave radiated into the rotary tank 1.

The reflecting unit 33 reflects a part or all of the reflected wave reflected from the rotary tank 1 and traveling in the direction returning to the microwave irradiating unit 31, and rotates again together with the microwave radiated from the microwave irradiating unit 31. It is made to enter the tank 1. This can reduce energy loss and shorten the drying time.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the microwave control device 40 according to the first embodiment. The microwave control device 40 is realized by hardware such as a microcomputer, a microcontroller, and an integrated circuit.

The microwave control device 40 includes an intensity acquisition unit 41, an output adjustment unit 42, and a water content estimation unit 43. These configurations are realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, memory, other LSI, etc. of an arbitrary computer, and in terms of software by a program loaded in the memory, etc. It depicts the functional blocks realized by. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms such as hardware alone or a combination of hardware and software.

The microwave control device 40 controls the microwave irradiation unit 31 according to an instruction from the control device 20 in the cleaning process, the rinsing process, or the drying process controlled by the control device 20. The microwave control device 40 heats the wash water in the washing step, heats the rinse water in the rinsing step, heats the water contained in the drying target in the drying step, and controls the laundry or the drying target. In order to sterilize the attached bacteria by heating, microwaves are irradiated from the microwave irradiation unit 31 into the rotary tank 1. When heating the wash water or rinse water, microwaves may be applied to the water tank 3 in which they are stored.

The intensity acquisition unit 41 acquires the intensity of the microwave detected by the microwave detection unit 36. The output adjustment unit 42 adjusts the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 according to the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave acquired by the intensity acquisition unit 41. Specifically, the output adjustment unit 42 reduces the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 when the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave acquired by the intensity acquisition unit 41 exceeds a predetermined value. This makes it possible to accurately detect an increase in the electric field strength in the rotary tank 1 and lower the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31, so that the occurrence of sparks due to the metal contained in the object to be dried in the rotary tank 1 can be prevented. Can be suppressed. The microwave detection unit 36 is not particularly limited in installation position as long as it is provided outside the electromagnetic wave shield. For example, it may be provided in the washer/dryer 50 or may be provided separately from the washer/dryer 50. When provided separately from the washer/dryer 50, for example, a mobile terminal or a separate measuring device may be used. The microwave detection unit 36 and the microwave control device 40 are connected by a wired signal or a wireless signal.

The water content estimation unit 43 determines the amount of water contained in the object to be dried based on the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave or the ratio of the intensity of the incident wave with which the rotary tank 1 is irradiated and the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave. Estimate the quantity. For example, when based on the ratio of the intensities of the incident wave and the leakage electromagnetic wave, the water content estimation unit 43 detects the intensity from the microwave detection unit (not shown) that detects the intensity of the incident wave and the microwave detection unit 36 that detects the intensity of the leakage electromagnetic wave. The incident wave and the leakage electromagnetic wave are calculated by using a mathematical expression having a ratio of the intensity of the incident wave and the intensity of the leakage electromagnetic wave acquired by the acquisition unit 41 as a variable, or a table or a graph showing the correspondence relationship between the intensity ratio and the water content. The remaining water content is estimated from the intensity ratio of. A mathematical formula, a table, or a graph for estimating the water content from the intensity ratio of the incident wave and the leaked electromagnetic wave is stored in advance in the storage device included in the microwave control device 40.

The output adjustment unit 42 may decrease the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 when the amount of water estimated by the water amount estimation unit 43 falls below a predetermined value. When the amount of water contained in the object to be dried in the rotary tank 1 decreases, the amount of microwaves absorbed by the water decreases, so if the microwave of the same intensity is continuously radiated into the rotary tank 1, the rotary tank 1 The electric field strength in 1 becomes high, and sparks easily occur. Even in such a case, the possibility of sparks can be reduced by lowering the output of the microwave radiated into the rotary tank 1. Since the amount of water is calculated based on the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave acquired by the intensity acquisition unit 41, the output adjustment unit 42 also determines the amount of water according to the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave acquired by the intensity acquisition unit 41. This means that the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 is adjusted.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the intensity and the water content of the leaked electromagnetic wave detected by the microwave detection unit 36. The output of the radiated microwave is constant. The water content can be obtained, for example, from the weight of the object to be dried measured by a load cell or the like provided in the rotary tank 1. As the water content of the object to be dried decreases, the amount of water that absorbs the microwave applied to the rotary tank 1 decreases. As a result, the strength of the electric field in the rotary tank 1 increases and the strength of the leaked electromagnetic wave also increases. When the electric field strength in the rotary tank 1 rises, the possibility that sparks will occur due to the metal present in the rotary tank 1 increases. Therefore, the output adjusting unit 42 is so high that the electric field strength in the rotary tank 1 produces sparks. Before that, the output of the microwave radiated into the rotary tank 1 is reduced. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of sparks while maintaining the drying efficiency. The water content estimation unit 43 may calculate the degree of drying of the object to be dried, and the output adjustment unit 42 may adjust the microwave output based on this degree.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the adjustment of the output of the microwave irradiator 31 by the output adjuster 42 for the object to be dried and the drying time. While the object to be dried contains a relatively large amount of water after the drying step is started, most of the electromagnetic waves applied to the rotary tank 1 are absorbed by the water and contribute to heating. The electric field strength inside is not excessively high, and the strength of leaked electromagnetic waves is also low. At this time, even if the object to be dried has a metal button, a fastener, or the like, the possibility of sparking is low, so electromagnetic waves of arbitrary output may be emitted from the microwave irradiating section 31. The output of the microwave irradiator 31 is the amount of water estimated to be contained in the object to be dried, the weight of the object to be dried measured by a load cell provided in the rotary tank 1, the drying time set by the user. , Room temperature, humidity, etc.

When the amount of water estimated by the water amount estimation unit 43 falls below a predetermined value, the output adjustment unit 42 lowers the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31. As shown in FIG. 5, the output adjustment unit 42 may decrease the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 in stages by using a plurality of thresholds. In addition, the output adjustment unit 42 may continuously decrease the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 as the amount of water decreases.

Similarly, when the output adjustment unit 42 adjusts the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 according to the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave, the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 is decreased when the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave exceeds a predetermined value. The output of the microwave irradiator 31 may be reduced stepwise by using a plurality of thresholds, or the output of the microwave irradiator 31 may be continuously reduced as the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave increases. .. Conversely, when the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave decreases, the output adjustment unit 42 may improve the drying efficiency by increasing the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31.

The water content estimated by the water content estimation unit 43 may be used by the control device 20 to control the operation of the washer/dryer 50. For example, the controller 20 may stop the output of the microwave irradiator 31 and terminate the drying process when the amount of water has decreased to a predetermined value which indicates that the drying is completed. The threshold value of the amount of water for determining whether or not to finish the drying process may be set according to the type of the object to be dried, or may be set by the user. For example, if you want to leave a relatively large amount of water contained and finish it with a moist feel, set a high threshold value and the amount of water contained in the object to be dried is relatively high. The drying may be terminated with. In addition, for example, the control device 20 may stop the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 and then perform the air blowing operation, and then terminate the drying process.

As described above, according to the electric field strength in the rotary tank 1 estimated from the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave and the water content in the rotary tank 1 estimated from the intensity ratio of the incident wave and the leaked electromagnetic wave, By adjusting the output, it is possible to prevent the electric field strength in the rotary tank 1 from becoming excessively high and suppress the occurrence of sparks. In addition, it is possible to directly heat the moisture contained in the object to be dried by the microwave while appropriately suppressing the spark from the metal attached to the object to be dried in the entire drying process, so that the drying efficiency can be improved. It is possible to improve and shorten the drying time. Then, when the amount of water has decreased to a predetermined value for completion of drying, the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 can be stopped and the drying process can be ended.

FIG. 6 shows the relationship among the intensities of the incident wave, the reflected wave, and the leaked electromagnetic wave. Assuming that the intensity of the microwaves entering the rotary tank 1 is 100%, the intensity of the reflected waves reflected from the rotary tank 1 and returning to the microwave irradiation unit 31 is about 17%, and leaks to the outside of the electromagnetic wave shield. The intensity of electromagnetic waves is about 0.0001%. As described above, since the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave detected by the microwave detection unit 36 is considerably weaker than the intensity of the incident wave, it is not necessary to add a configuration such as an attenuator to the microwave detection unit 36. As a result, the structure of the washer/dryer 50 can be simplified, so that the manufacturing cost and size of the washer/dryer 50 can be suppressed. In addition, since standing waves are less likely to be generated outside the electromagnetic wave shield, it is possible to more accurately estimate the intensity of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 7 shows the structure of the washer/dryer 50 according to the second embodiment. The washer/dryer 50 according to the second embodiment includes a microwave detection unit 36 that is provided inside the rotary tub 1 and the door body 5 and detects the intensity of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tub 1. The microwave detection unit 36 is preferably located at a fixed position regardless of the rotation operation of the rotary tank 1, but the position is not limited thereto. Other configurations and operations are similar to those of the first embodiment. Differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

The configuration of microwave control device 40 according to the second embodiment is similar to the configuration of microwave control device 40 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The intensity acquisition unit 41 acquires the intensity of the microwave in the rotary tank 1 detected by the microwave detection unit 36. The output adjustment unit 42 adjusts the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 according to the intensity of the microwave in the rotary tank 1 acquired by the intensity acquisition unit 41. Specifically, the output adjustment unit 42 reduces the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 when the intensity of the microwave in the rotary tank 1 acquired by the intensity acquisition unit 41 exceeds a predetermined value. This makes it possible to accurately detect an increase in the electric field strength in the rotary tank 1 and lower the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31, so that the occurrence of sparks due to the metal contained in the object to be dried in the rotary tank 1 can be prevented. Can be suppressed.

The water content estimation unit 43 estimates the amount of water contained in the object to be dried, based on the intensity of electromagnetic waves in the rotary tank 1. For example, the water content estimation unit 43 uses a mathematical expression having the intensity of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 acquired by the intensity acquisition unit 41 from the microwave detection unit 36 as a variable, or a table or a graph showing the correspondence relationship between the strength and the water content. The amount of residual water is estimated from the strength of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 by using, for example. A mathematical formula, a table, or a graph for estimating the amount of water from the intensity of electromagnetic waves in the rotary tank 1 is stored in advance in a storage device included in the microwave control device 40.

The output adjustment unit 42 may decrease the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 when the amount of water estimated by the water amount estimation unit 43 falls below a predetermined value. When the amount of water contained in the object to be dried in the rotary tank 1 decreases, the amount of microwaves absorbed by the water decreases, so if the microwave of the same intensity is continuously radiated into the rotary tank 1, the rotary tank 1 The electric field strength in 1 becomes high, and sparks easily occur. Even in such a case, the possibility of sparks can be reduced by lowering the output of the microwave radiated into the rotary tank 1. Since the amount of water is calculated based on the intensity of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 acquired by the strength acquisition unit 41, the output adjustment unit 42 also in this case, the output adjustment unit 42 determines the rotary tank 1 acquired by the strength acquisition unit 41. It means that the output of the microwave irradiator 31 is adjusted according to the intensity of the electromagnetic wave inside.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the electromagnetic wave intensity and water content in the rotary tank 1 detected by the microwave detector 36. The output of the radiated microwave is constant. As the water content of the object to be dried decreases, the amount of water that absorbs the microwaves applied to the rotary tank 1 decreases, so that the intensity of the electromagnetic waves in the rotary tank 1 increases. When the strength of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 rises, the possibility that sparks will occur due to the metal present in the rotary tank 1 increases. Therefore, the output adjusting unit 42 causes the electric field strength in the rotary tank 1 to spark. Before it becomes higher, the output of the microwave radiated in the rotary tank 1 is lowered. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of sparks while maintaining the drying efficiency.

The output adjusting unit 42 may decrease the output of the microwave irradiating unit 31 stepwise by using a plurality of threshold values as in the first embodiment, or the amount of water decreases and the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 is reduced. The output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 may be continuously decreased as the intensity increases.

In this way, by adjusting the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 according to the intensity of the electromagnetic waves in the rotary tank 1 and the water content in the rotary tank 1 estimated from the intensity of the electromagnetic waves in the rotary tank 1, It is possible to prevent the electric field strength in the rotary tank 1 from becoming excessively high and suppress the occurrence of sparks. In addition, it is possible to directly heat the moisture contained in the object to be dried by the microwave while appropriately suppressing the spark from the metal attached to the object to be dried in the entire drying process, so that the drying efficiency can be improved. It is possible to improve and shorten the drying time. Then, when the amount of water has decreased to a predetermined value for completion of drying, the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 can be stopped and the drying process can be ended.

In the second embodiment, since the intensity of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 is directly detected and the microwave output is adjusted, the electric field strength in the rotary tank 1 can be adjusted more accurately and the occurrence of sparks can be suppressed. it can. The microwave detection units 36 may be provided at a plurality of positions in the rotary tank 1 to detect the intensity of electromagnetic waves at a plurality of positions in the rotary tank 1. Thereby, even in the situation where a standing wave is generated in the rotary tank 1, it is possible to accurately grasp the intensity of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 and adjust the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31. In addition, the distribution of the amount of water is estimated from the intensity distribution of the electromagnetic waves in the rotary tank 1, and the position of the standing wave is adjusted according to the distribution of the amount of water to adjust the intensity distribution of the electromagnetic waves in the rotary tank 1. You may. Thereby, the drying efficiency can be further improved.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the microwave control device 40 according to the third embodiment. The microwave control device 40 according to the third embodiment is similar to the microwave control device 40 according to the first and second embodiments shown in FIG. A frequency changing unit 44 that changes the frequency of the wave is provided. Other configurations and operations are similar to those of the first or second embodiment. Differences from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described.

In the first and second embodiments, it is assumed that a microwave oscillator whose frequency is not variable, such as a magnetron, is used as the microwave irradiation unit 31. Therefore, the microwave detection unit 36 detects the intensity of the leakage electromagnetic wave or the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 when the microwave irradiation unit 31 irradiates the microwave with a constant frequency. However, in the third embodiment, a semiconductor element or the like capable of oscillating microwaves having a plurality of different frequencies is used as the microwave irradiation unit 31, and the microwave irradiation unit 31 irradiates the rotary tank 1 with the frequency of the microwave. It can be changed by the changing unit 44. Therefore, the microwave detection unit 36 detects the leaked electromagnetic wave or the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 when the rotary tank 1 is irradiated with microwaves having a plurality of different frequencies.

The frequency changing unit 44 changes the frequency of the microwave radiated from the microwave radiating unit 31 into the rotary tank 1 at an arbitrary timing during the cleaning, rinsing, or drying operation. As a result, the propagation path of the microwave radiated in the rotary tank 1 changes, and the angle at which the microwave is radiated to the object to be dried and the distribution of the microwave intensity in the rotary tank 1 change. The intensity of the electromagnetic wave or the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 also changes accordingly.

FIG. 10 shows an example of frequencies and intensities of leaked electromagnetic waves or electromagnetic waves in the rotary tub 1 detected by the microwave detection unit 36 of the washer/dryer 50 according to the third embodiment. The output of the radiated microwave is constant. (A) and (b) shown in FIG. 10 respectively show the intensity distribution of the leaked electromagnetic wave or the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 20 minutes and 60 minutes after the start of microwave irradiation. As the microwave irradiation time becomes longer, the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave or the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 becomes stronger as a whole, but the position and shape of the peak of the leaked electromagnetic wave or the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 changes. doing. Therefore, if attention is paid to a specific frequency, there are frequencies at which the intensity does not increase with the passage of irradiation time. When only the leaking electromagnetic wave having such a frequency or the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 is detected by the microwave detection unit 36, it may not be possible to accurately estimate the water content.

Furthermore, since the propagation path of the microwave radiated from the microwave irradiator 31 into the rotary tank 1 differs depending on the frequency, the leakage electromagnetic wave or the intensity of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 is contained in the object to be dried in the rotary tank 1. It depends not only on the amount of water to be stored, but also on the position of the object to be dried in the rotary tank 1 and the distribution of water. Therefore, depending on the distribution condition of the object to be dried and the water content in the rotary tank 1, the electric field strength or the water content in the rotary tank 1, and the leakage electromagnetic wave detected by the microwave detection unit 36 or the strength of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1. There may be an error in the correlation between.

In the present embodiment, the intensity acquisition unit 41 includes a leakage electromagnetic wave when the frequency changing unit 44 irradiates the rotary tank 1 with microwaves of a plurality of different frequencies from the microwave irradiation unit 31, or an electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1. Get each intensity. The output adjustment unit 42 adjusts the output of the microwave based on the average value or the integrated value of the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave or the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 that has been acquired. As a result, it is possible to smooth fluctuations in the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic waves or the electromagnetic waves in the rotary tank 1 due to changes in the distribution of the object to be dried and the water content, so that the electric field strength and the amount of water in the rotary tank 1 can be more accurately measured. Can be estimated and the microwave output can be adjusted more appropriately. Further, by repeating the above-described operation of acquiring and smoothing the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave or the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 at a plurality of frequencies a plurality of times in a short time, the water content can be more accurately estimated and the microwave output can be obtained. Can be adjusted.

FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the leakage electromagnetic wave detected by the microwave detection unit 36 of the washer/dryer 50 according to the third embodiment or the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tub 1 and the water content. The output of the radiated microwave is constant. The relation between the average value of the leakage electromagnetic waves or the average value of the electromagnetic waves in the rotary tub 1 and the water content when 100%, 50%, and 25% of clothes are dried with respect to the rated capacity of the washer/dryer 50 is almost the same. It was shown that the water content can be estimated from the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave or the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 by using the same curve regardless of the amount of the object to be dried.

The frequency changing unit 44 causes the microwave irradiation unit 31 to irradiate the rotary tank 1 with microwaves having different frequencies at a predetermined timing, for example, at predetermined intervals during cleaning, rinsing, or drying operation. The frequency changing unit 44 may change the frequency stepwise or continuously at a predetermined interval and scan a predetermined range. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the frequency may be scanned in a predetermined range around 2.45 GHz. In this case, considering the ISM band, it is possible in the range of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz. The intensity acquisition unit 41 acquires the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave or the intensity of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 from the microwave detection unit 36 when the microwave of each frequency is applied to the rotary tank 1. The water content estimation unit 43 calculates the average value of the leaked electromagnetic waves of different frequencies or the electromagnetic waves in the rotary tub 1, and shows the relationship between the leaked electromagnetic waves or the average value of the electromagnetic waves in the rotary tub 1 and the water content. Estimate the water content using the approximate equation of. The output adjustment unit 42 adjusts the output of the microwave irradiation unit 31 according to the water content estimated by the water content estimation unit 43.

As described above, according to the technique of the present embodiment, the amount of water in the rotary tank 1 can be more accurately estimated, so that the electric field strength in the rotary tank 1 is prevented from becoming excessively high, and the spark Occurrence can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to directly heat the moisture contained in the object to be dried by the microwave while appropriately suppressing the spark from the metal attached to the object to be dried in the entire drying process, so that the drying efficiency can be improved. It is possible to improve and shorten the drying time.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the microwave heating device 30 according to the fourth embodiment. The microwave heating device 30 according to the fourth embodiment includes a second microwave irradiation unit 37 in addition to the configuration of the microwave heating device 30 shown in FIG. The second microwave irradiator 37 is a frequency variable microwave irradiator composed of a semiconductor element or the like, like the microwave irradiator 31 described in the third embodiment. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first to third embodiments. As the microwave detection unit 36, the microwave detection unit 36a for detecting the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave described in the first embodiment may be provided, or the microwave detection unit 36a for detecting the intensity of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 described in the second embodiment may be provided. The microwave detection unit 36b for detecting may be provided, or both may be provided.

FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the microwave control device 40 according to the fourth embodiment. In the microwave control device 40 according to the fourth embodiment, the microwave irradiation unit 31 is configured by a magnetron or the like in which the frequency of the oscillating microwave is not variable, like the microwave irradiation unit 31 of the first and second embodiments. The microwave in the 2.45 GHz band is applied to the rotary tank 1 to heat the water in the rotary tank 1. The second microwave irradiator 37 is composed of a semiconductor element or the like in which the frequency of the oscillating microwave is variable, like the microwave irradiator 31 of the third embodiment. Used to estimate strength and water content.

In the fourth embodiment, the second microwave irradiation section 37 is provided separately from the microwave irradiation section 31. The installation place of the second microwave irradiation unit 37 is not particularly limited as long as it is a place where the microwave can be irradiated into the rotary tank 1. The second microwave irradiator 37 may irradiate the inside of the rotary tank 1 with an electromagnetic wave having a frequency different from the microwave of the 2.45 GHz band that the microwave irradiator 31 irradiates into the rotary tank 1. The electromagnetic wave with which the second microwave irradiator 37 irradiates the rotary tank 1 in order to estimate the amount of water in the rotary tank 1 is an electromagnetic wave of any frequency as long as it is an electromagnetic wave that can be absorbed by water. Good. Specifically, an electromagnetic wave of 10 MHz to 25 GHz in which the frequency band of the ISM band exists is preferable.

Further, the second microwave irradiator 37 may irradiate the inside of the rotary tank 1 with an electromagnetic wave having a lower intensity than the microwave irradiator 31. The second microwave irradiator 37 is not provided for heating the water in the rotary tank 1, so that the microwave having the intensity necessary for heating the water in the rotary tank 1 is supplied to the rotary tank 1. It is not necessary to irradiate the inside of the rotary tank 1. It is sufficient to irradiate the inside of the rotary tank 1 with a microwave having an intensity that allows the microwave detection unit 36 to detect a leak electromagnetic wave or an electromagnetic wave inside the rotary tank 1. Therefore, as the second microwave irradiation unit 37, a small-sized and low-power semiconductor element can be used. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the washer/dryer 50 can be reduced.

In addition, when both the microwave detection part 36a which detects the intensity|strength of a leak electromagnetic wave and the microwave detection part 36b which detects the intensity|strength of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 are provided as the microwave detection part 36, when a microwave irradiation part is provided. The microwave detection unit 36a and the microwave detection unit 36b may be selectively used according to the frequency of the microwave radiated from 31 and the second microwave radiating unit 37 or the output radiated. Alternatively, the sum of the intensities of the electromagnetic waves detected by the microwave detection unit 36a and the microwave detection unit 36b may be used.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 14 shows the structure of the washer/dryer 50 according to the fifth embodiment. The washer/dryer 50 according to the fifth embodiment includes a water content estimation device 60 in place of the microwave heating device 30 in the configuration of the washer/dryer 50 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 shows the configuration of the water content estimation device 60 according to the fifth embodiment. The water content estimation device 60 according to the fifth embodiment is the same as the microwave heating device 30 according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 12 except that the microwave irradiation unit 31 and the reflection unit 33 are omitted.

FIG. 16 shows the configuration of the microwave control device 40 provided in the water content estimation device 60 according to the fifth embodiment. The microwave control device 40 according to the fifth embodiment is the same as the microwave control device 40 according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 13 except that the output adjusting unit 42 is omitted.

As the microwave detection unit 36, the microwave detection unit 36a for detecting the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave described in the first embodiment may be provided, or the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 described in the second embodiment may be provided. The microwave detection unit 36b that detects the intensity may be provided, or both may be provided. When both the microwave detection unit 36a for detecting the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave and the microwave detection unit 36b for detecting the intensity of the electromagnetic wave in the rotary tank 1 are provided, the microwave irradiation unit 31 and the second microwave irradiation unit are provided. The microwave detection unit 36a and the microwave detection unit 36b may be selectively used according to the output of the microwaves emitted from 37. Alternatively, the sum of the intensities of the electromagnetic waves detected by the microwave detection unit 36a and the microwave detection unit 36b may be used.

Like the conventional dryer, the washer/dryer 50 according to the fifth embodiment is for drying the drying target by blowing dry air heated by the heater 17 into the rotary tank 1. The second microwave irradiator 37 is used to estimate the amount of water contained in. As described in the third embodiment, it is desirable that the second microwave irradiator 37 be composed of a semiconductor element or the like that can change the frequency of the oscillating microwave. Further, the frequency of the microwave oscillated by the magnetron may be modulated by a frequency modulator or the like. This makes it possible to estimate the amount of water contained in the object to be dried with higher accuracy. A semiconductor element is generally more expensive than a microwave oscillator such as a magnetron, but as described in the fourth embodiment, a relatively inexpensive low-power semiconductor element is used as the second microwave irradiator 37. Since this is possible, the manufacturing cost of the washer/dryer 50 can be suppressed.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is an exemplification, and that various modifications can be made to the combinations of the respective constituent elements and the respective processing processes, and that such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. ..

The scope of application of the present invention is not limited to the drum type clothes dryer (washer/dryer) described in the above embodiment. For example, it may be applied to a hanging and drying system other than the drum system, a pulsator type vertical washer/dryer, or the like.

1 rotary tank, 2 housing, 3 water tank, 4 damper, 5 door body, 6 drive motor, 7 circulation air passage, 8 outlet, 9 discharge port, 10 drain valve, 11 drain pipe, 12 water supply valve, 13 water supply pipe , 14 intake air passage, 15 exhaust air passage, 16 blower fan, 17 heater, 18 inflow temperature detection unit, 20 control device, 30 microwave heating device, 31 microwave irradiation unit, 32 microwave irradiation port, 33 reflection unit, 34 waveguide, 36 microwave detection unit, 37 second microwave irradiation unit, 40 microwave control device, 41 intensity acquisition unit, 42 output adjustment unit, 43 water content estimation unit, 44 frequency change unit, 50 washing and drying Machine, 60 Water content estimation device.

Claims (16)

A tank containing the object to be dried,
A door opened to put the drying object into and out of the tank,
An irradiation unit that irradiates electromagnetic waves into the tank to heat the moisture contained in the drying target housed in the tank to dry the drying target object.
At least the door body and the tank, an electromagnetic wave shield for suppressing leakage of electromagnetic waves emitted from the irradiation unit,
A detection unit that is provided outside the electromagnetic wave shield and detects the intensity of the leaked electromagnetic wave,
A dryer comprising: A tank containing the object to be dried,
A door opened to put the drying object into and out of the tank,
An irradiation unit that irradiates electromagnetic waves into the tank to heat the moisture contained in the drying target housed in the tank to dry the drying target object.
A detection unit that is provided inside the tank and the door body and detects the intensity of electromagnetic waves in the tank,
A dryer comprising: The irradiation unit irradiates an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 2.45 GHz band or 915 MHz band into the tank,
The dryer according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the intensity of an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 2.45 GHz band or 915 MHz band. Further comprising a control unit for controlling the irradiation unit,
The control unit is
An intensity acquisition unit that acquires the intensity of the electromagnetic wave detected by the detection unit,
The dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: an output adjustment unit that adjusts an output of the irradiation unit according to the intensity of the electromagnetic wave acquired by the intensity acquisition unit. The dryer according to claim 4, wherein the output adjustment unit reduces the output of the irradiation unit when the intensity of the electromagnetic wave acquired by the intensity acquisition unit exceeds a predetermined value. The irradiation unit, it is possible to change the frequency of the electromagnetic waves to be irradiated into the tank,
The control unit further comprises a frequency changing unit that changes the frequency of the electromagnetic wave with which the irradiation unit irradiates the inside of the tank during the drying of the drying target,
The intensity acquisition unit, during the drying of the drying object, acquires the intensity of each of the electromagnetic waves of different frequencies from the detection unit,
The said output adjustment part adjusts the output of the said irradiation part according to each intensity|strength of the electromagnetic waves of a several different frequency acquired by the said intensity acquisition part, The drying of Claim 4 or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Machine. Further comprising a second irradiation unit for irradiating the tank with electromagnetic waves of different frequencies,
The control unit further includes a frequency changing unit that changes a frequency of an electromagnetic wave with which the second irradiation unit irradiates the inside of the tank while the object to be dried is dried,
The intensity acquisition unit, during the drying of the drying object, acquires the intensity of each of the electromagnetic waves of different frequencies from the detection unit,
The said output adjustment part adjusts the output of the said irradiation part according to each intensity|strength of the electromagnetic waves of a several different frequency acquired by the said intensity acquisition part, The drying of Claim 4 or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Machine. The dryer according to claim 7, wherein the second irradiation unit irradiates the inside of the tank with an electromagnetic wave having a frequency different from that of the electromagnetic wave with which the irradiation unit irradiates the inside of the tank. The dryer according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second irradiation unit irradiates the inside of the tank with an electromagnetic wave having a lower intensity than that of the irradiation unit. 10. The output adjustment unit lowers the output of the irradiation unit when the average value of the respective intensities of electromagnetic waves of different frequencies exceeds a predetermined value. Dryer as described. The amount of water for estimating the amount of water contained in the object to be dried, based on the ratio of the intensity of the electromagnetic wave with which the tank is irradiated and the intensity of the electromagnetic wave detected by the detection unit. The dryer according to claim 4, further comprising an estimation unit. The dryer according to claim 11, wherein the output adjustment unit reduces the output of the irradiation unit when the amount of water estimated by the water amount estimation unit falls below a predetermined value. The tub is provided to store laundry and to wash the stored laundry with washing water.
When the laundry stored in the tub is washed, the irradiation unit irradiates electromagnetic waves into the tub to heat the wash water and dries an object to be dried stored in the tub. 13. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein the tank is irradiated with an electromagnetic wave in order to heat the water contained in the object to be dried. It has a function of heating and sterilizing the laundry or the object to be dried by irradiating electromagnetic waves from the irradiation unit into the tank to heat the moisture contained in the laundry or the object to be dried stored in the tank. The dryer according to claim 13, wherein When the electromagnetic waves are radiated into the tank to heat the water contained in the drying object contained in the tank to dry the drying object, the intensity of the electromagnetic waves leaked from the tank, or the tank An intensity acquisition unit that acquires the intensity of the electromagnetic waves in the
An output adjusting unit that adjusts the output of the irradiation unit that irradiates the electromagnetic waves into the tank according to the intensity of the electromagnetic waves acquired by the intensity acquisition unit,
A control device comprising: Computer,
When the electromagnetic waves are radiated into the tank to heat the water contained in the drying object contained in the tank to dry the drying object, the intensity of the electromagnetic waves leaked from the tank, or the tank An intensity acquisition unit that acquires the intensity of the electromagnetic waves in
An output adjusting unit that adjusts the output of the irradiation unit that irradiates the electromagnetic waves into the tank according to the intensity of the electromagnetic waves acquired by the intensity acquisition unit.
Control program to function as.