JP2998116B2 - Futon dryer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a futon dryer for drying futons by introducing warm air into a permeable drying mat.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 38 and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional futon dryer disclosed in No. 9;
Reference numeral 1 denotes a main body in which a front surface is opened and a storage section 2 is formed, in which an electric blower, a heater, and the like are stored. 3 is a timer provided on the main body 1 for setting a drying time;
Reference numeral 4 denotes a changeover switch for switching between hot air and cold air.
5 is a cover for closing the opening of the main body 1. The main body 1 is provided with an air inlet and a hot air outlet, and is provided with a cord or the like connected to a power supply, but is omitted in the figure.

[0003] 6 is a flexible hose connected to the outlet of the main body 1, 7 is a dry mat formed of a dense fiber such as semi-permeable nylon (trade name) such as nylon.
The hose 6 and the drying mat 7 can be stored in the storage section 2 of the main body 1 when not in use.

In order to dry the futon with the above-mentioned futon dryer, first, a cord is pulled out from the main body 1 and connected to a power source. Next, as shown in FIG. 39, the hose 6 is connected to the outlet of the main body 1, and the other end is connected to the connection port of the drying mat 7. Then, the futon 8a is laid, the drying mat 7 is spread thereon, and then the futon 8b is overlaid to complete the preparation for the futon drying.

When the drying time is set by the timer 3 after the preparation is completed and the start key is pressed, the electric blower in the main body 1 is driven and air is sucked from the suction port. The sucked air flow is heated by the heater, and hot air is introduced into the drying mat 7 from the outlet through the hose 6. The drying mat 7 swells due to the introduction of the warm air, and a part thereof penetrates the semi-permeable bag, and the drying mat 7 swells according to the difference between the amount of the warm air introduced and the warm air discharged to the outside. Hold.

[0006] Then, the warm air in the drying mat 7 blows out in all directions, passes through the bedding 8a and the bedding 8b, and is released into the atmosphere. During the release, the bedding 8a,
An air layer is formed between the cotton fibers and the feathers in the futon 8b, so that the futon 8 is gently inflated and moisture is removed.
Moderate warmth is given to a and 8b. In this manner, warm air is introduced into the futons 8a and 8b for the time set by the timer 3, and drying is performed.

By the way, in the conventional futon dryers described above, there is no one that indicates the degree of drying of the futon or the like. Therefore, the timer is determined by referring to the past experience and intuition or the contents of the instruction manual of the manufacturer. An appropriate operation time was set and drying was performed. For this reason, there have been problems such as insufficient drying or excessive power consumption due to excessive drying.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem,
In the above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 59-99, as shown in FIG. 39, a humidity sensor 9 connected to the operation section of the main body 1 by a lead wire is sandwiched between a futon 8a and a futon 8b. An invention has been proposed in which the humidity of warm air passing near the center is detected to control the degree of drying of the futon.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 56-24565 discloses that the change in the number of revolutions of the electric fan of the electric blower is detected, and when a certain amount of change is reached, the electric blower is stopped to control the degree of drying of the futon. The invention as described above is disclosed.

[0010]

The futon dryer disclosed in JP-A-59-99 cannot reliably detect humidity unless a humidity sensor is set at a predetermined position in a futon. Further, since the distance between the humidity sensor and the main body is large, the operation is troublesome, and furthermore, there is a problem that the usability is poor, for example, it is easy to forget to set the humidity sensor. In addition, the humidity sensor is susceptible to deterioration over time due to dust in the air flow adhering to the sensor, and has a lack of reliability.
There are various problems such as an increase in cost due to measures against dust.

On the other hand, the futon dryer disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-24565 detects a change in the number of revolutions of a motor caused by a load change applied to a blower motor due to a change in passage resistance due to air humidity of the futon. The degree of drying of the futon is detected, and the motor is controlled accordingly. However, in general, an induction motor is often used for this motor in terms of cost. Although the rotation speed of the induction motor greatly changes depending on the power supply frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz, the rotation of the induction motor due to load fluctuation is not appropriate. The amount of change in the number is negligible, and this slight amount of change is also caused by fluctuations in the power supply voltage. In order to correct these or increase the resolution, it is necessary to provide a dedicated control circuit, which causes a problem that the cost is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a futon dryer which can control the degree of drying reliably and with high accuracy, is easy to use, and is excellent in energy saving. The purpose is to obtain.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided (1) a futon dryer having a coasting rotation state detecting section for detecting a coasting rotation state of the blower after the power supply to the blower is stopped. The degree of drying of the futon or the like is determined based on the information of the rotation state detecting unit, and the drying condition of the futon or the like is controlled according to the determination result.

(2) The futon dryer has an air pressure state detector for detecting the air pressure state on the discharge side of the blower,
The degree of drying of the futon or the like is determined based on the information of the air pressure state detecting unit, and the drying condition of the futon or the like is controlled according to the determination result.

(3) The futon dryer has a swelling amount detecting section for detecting the swelling amount of the drying mat, and determines the degree of drying of the futon or the like based on the information of the swelling amount detecting section. The drying conditions of the futon or the like are controlled accordingly.

(4) The futon dryer has a weight detecting unit for detecting the weight of the futon, etc., and determines the degree of drying of the futon based on the information of the weight detecting unit. The drying conditions of the futon or the like are controlled accordingly.

[0017]

(1) The energization of the blower that blows hot air to the drying mat is stopped, and the inertia rotation state is changed to a change in the inertia rotation speed or the inertia rotation cycle, the blower is stopped or a predetermined rotation speed is reached. The time until deceleration or the number of revolutions is detected by the voltage between the electrodes of the condenser for driving the electric motor of the blower, etc., and the degree of drying of the futon is determined based on the detection result. Control conditions.

(2) The air pressure state on the discharge side of the blower includes the air pressure state when the power supply to the blower is stopped, the time from when the power supply to the blower is stopped or when the power supply is stopped to when the air pressure reaches the atmospheric pressure or a predetermined air pressure, and the like. A change in air pressure during a predetermined time after the blower is energized, or a state of air pressure when the energization is stopped at a predetermined timing and then re-energized and detected each time, and a degree of dryness of the futon or the like is detected based on the detection result. Is determined, and drying conditions such as the futon are controlled in accordance with the result of the determination.

(3) The amount of swelling of the drying mat is detected by the capacitance between metal plates provided above and below the mat, the acoustic characteristics of sound waves sent into the drying mat, and the like. Is determined, and the drying conditions such as the futon are controlled according to the result of the determination.

(4) The weight of the futon or the like is detected by a pressure-sensitive sensor disposed on the lower surface of the futon or the like or a pressure-sensitive sensor attached to the surface of the drying mat. The degree is determined, and the drying conditions such as the futon are controlled according to the result of the determination.

[0021]

[Example] A drying mat is placed between a bed and a futon, and the air taken in from the outside of the futon dryer is heated by a heater to generate warm air by a futon dryer. When air is blown to dry the futon, drying characteristics as shown in FIG. 1 are generally obtained. In FIG. 1, the horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis represents the weight of the futon, W ₀ represents the weight of the dried futon, and W represents the amount of moisture contained in the futon. It should be noted that, in general W ₀ is 5~6kg, W before bedtime is 0.7~0.8kg.

As shown by the curve A in FIG. 1, the moisture contained in the futon evaporates with time with hot air, and the drying proceeds. However, from the time one hour has passed after the start of drying, the amount of moisture contained in the futon has been reduced. Evaporation amount of water due to decrease (curve C)
Is less. In other words, when drying proceeds and the amount of moisture contained in the futon decreases, the heating efficiency (energy used for evaporating the moisture / energy consumed by the futon dryer) becomes very poor. Therefore, the setting of the drying time by the user based on experience and intuition ignoring the state in which the futon contains moisture is as follows: (1) The drying is terminated with insufficient drying. Or (2) Continue supplying hot air even after drying is completed, thereby wasting electrical energy. Will often occur.

In the process of drying the futon, (1) the weight of the futon changes. (2) The futon itself swells due to evaporation of water and expansion of air, and the air resistance decreases. (3) Due to the above phenomena (1) and (2), the air pressure in the air flow passage from the electric blower to the drying mat and the futon changes. (4) Due to the above phenomena (1) and (2), the swelling state or the crushing state of the drying mat after starting or stopping the air supply to the drying mat changes. (5) The load resistance of the electric blower changes due to the phenomenon (3). And various other physical phenomena occur remarkably. The present invention has been made by focusing on these phenomena, and the first invention will be described in detail below.

First invention As described above, the weight of the futon containing the water content W is W ₀ + W if the weight of the futon at the time of drying is W _0, and when warm air is introduced into the drying mat, (1) Due to both the change in the weight W ₀ + W of the futon and the reduction in the ventilation resistance due to the evaporation of the moisture contained in the futon and the expansion of the air, the load resistance applied to the electric blower increases with the progress of drying. Change. And (2) Due to the above-mentioned change in the load resistance, the inertial rotation state after stopping the energization of the electric blower greatly changes. Attention was first paid to this point.

The inertia rotation state of the electric blower, that is, the rotation characteristics of the electric blower after the power supply is stopped are shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), it changes greatly depending on the amount of moisture contained in the futon. That is, when the futon contains moisture (W ₀ + W), the weight and ventilation resistance of the futon added to the drying mat are large, so that the load resistance applied to the electric blower is also large, as shown in FIG. When the energization is stopped, the electric blower stops in a short time. In contrast, a near Nuisance weight of futon to W ₀ proceeds drying, since the weight and airflow resistance of over futon applied to dry the mat is reduced, the load resistance decreases applied to the electric blower, FIG. 2 (b ), The inertial rotation continues for a long time.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a first embodiment. In addition,
Parts having the same functions as those of the conventional example described with reference to FIGS. 38 and 39 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the drawing, reference numeral 10 denotes a suction port for external air provided at a rear portion of the main body 1, reference numeral 11 denotes an outlet for warm air provided at a front portion of the main body 1, and the suction port 10 and the air outlet 11 are formed by a ventilation path 12. Are linked.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an electric blower provided in the ventilation passage 12 near the suction port 10 and a heater 16 provided in the ventilation passage 12 downstream of the electric blower 13. , 17 are provided in the main body 1 and, as shown in FIG. 6, a control unit 18 for controlling input to the electric blower 13 and the heater 16, energization, stop of energization, etc., an inertia rotation state detection unit 19, a dry state determination unit 20 And the like. Although an operation unit having various keys, a timer, and the like is provided on the outer surface of the main body 1, it is omitted in the figure.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the electric blower 13, in which 31 is a rotor having a main shaft 32, and 33 is a stator. Reference numeral 34 denotes a rotating plate having a plurality of cutouts 35 (or holes) on the outer periphery as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 37 denotes a photoelectric type rotation sensor in which a light emitting element 38 and a light receiving element 39 are attached to the support portion 36 so as to face both sides of the rotating plate 34.

In the electric blower 13 having the rotation sensor 37 as described above, when the electric blower 13 is rotated and the light emitting element 38 is energized to emit light, the light from the light emitting element 38 The light is emitted to the light receiving element 39 only when the notch 35 of the rotating plate 34 is located at the position. The light receiving element 39 converts the irradiated light into an electric signal and sends it to a measuring unit. The measuring unit pulsates the signal as shown in FIG. 5 and counts the number of pulses per unit time, so that the electric blower 13 The number of rotations can be determined.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition,
The procedure and operation of the futon drying are the same as those in the related art described with reference to FIGS. When the preparation for drying the futon is completed, the start key is turned on to energize the electric blower 13 and the heater 16 (step S-1), and the timer is set to, for example, 30 minutes (step S-).
2). When 30 minutes have elapsed (step S-3), the power supply to the electric blower 13 and the heater 16 is turned off (step S-4), and the rotation sensor 37 detects the inertial rotation state of the electric blower 13 (step S-). 5).

That is, the inertial rotation of the electric blower 13 is detected by the rotation sensor 37, converted into an electric signal, and sent to the inertial state detecting unit 19. In the inertia state detecting section 19, the electric signal sent from the rotation sensor 37 is pulsed as shown in FIG. 5, and the number of pulses per unit time is measured (step S-6). A condition is detected. At this time, as shown in FIG.
If the degree of drying of the futon is low, the inertial rotation time of the electric blower 13 is short, and the electric blower 13 stops in a short time.
As shown in (b), the higher the degree of drying of the futon, the longer the inertial rotation time of the electric blower 13.

The detection result of the inertia rotation state is sent to the dryness degree judging section 20. The drying degree judging section 20 calculates the drying state of the futon based on the information from the coasting rotation state detecting section 19 (step S-7), compares it with the drying end judging condition obtained in advance based on the experimental result of FIG. The degree of drying of the futon is determined. That is, the difference between the n-th information of the rotation of the electric blower 13 and the (n-1) -th information is obtained, and the rate of change is α, | α _n | − | α _n−1 | = Δα _n The rate of change α is inversely proportional to the number of rotations of the blower motor 13 or the inertial rotation time, as shown in FIG. 8, and has a constant relationship with the degree of drying of the futon. Then, Δα _n is compared with the drying end determination condition α _0. If Δα _n ≦ α ₀ , the drying degree is 90% or more α ₁ > Δα _n > α ₀ and the drying degree is less than 90% α ₂ > Δα _n > if alpha ₁ determines that the drying degree less than 80% (step S-8).

The controller 18 controls the electric blower 13 and the heater 16 based on a command from the dryness determining section 20 as follows.
Input, power supply, and power supply stop. When the drying degree is 90% or more, the power supply to the heater 16 is turned off,
Power is supplied only to the electric blower 13 (step S-9), and the timer is set to 10 minutes (step S-1).
0) and when 10 minutes have elapsed (step S-1).
1) Turn off the power supply to the electric blower 13 (step S-
12) Complete the drying of the futon. The degree of drying is 8
If it is 0% or more and less than 90%, the electric blower 13 and the heater 16 are energized, and the input to the heater 16 is set to 50% (step S-13). Then, the timer is set to 10 minutes (step S-14), and when 10 minutes have elapsed (step S-15), the process returns to step S-4, and the above operation is repeated to dry the futon.

Further, when the degree of drying is less than 80%, the electric blower 13 and the heater 16 are energized (Step S).
-16), and set the timer to 10 minutes (step S-14). When 10 minutes have elapsed (step S-15), the flow returns to step S-4, and the above-described operation is repeated to dry the bedding.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of an electric blower 13 according to a second embodiment.
In this embodiment, a plurality of notches 41 (or holes) are provided on the outer periphery.
The rotation sensor 37 is constituted by a rotating plate 40 made of a magnetic material fixed to the main shaft 32 of the rotor 31 and a Hall element or a magnetic resistor 42 disposed close to the rotating plate 40. is there.

In this embodiment, the electric blower 13 is
When the inertial rotation is performed by the FF, the notch 4 of the rotary plate 40 made of a magnetic material and the Hall element or the magnetic resistor 42 is formed.
Due to the positional relationship with 1, an output signal similar to that of the first embodiment is obtained between the output terminals of the rotation sensor 37.
The output signal of the rotation sensor 37, the rotation speed f ₀ of the electric blower 13 is therefore small rotational speed f ₀ if the drying degree is lower as shown in FIG. 10, it corresponds to the degree of dryness futon increasingly Higher If this is pulsed and processed as in the case of the first embodiment, the bedding can be automatically dried.

Third Embodiment FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of an electric blower 13 according to a third embodiment. In this embodiment, the main shaft 32 of the rotor 31 is
A permanent magnet 43 having a polarity of S is mounted, and a power generating coil 44 is provided on the outer periphery of the permanent magnet 43 to constitute a power generator.

In the present embodiment, when the power supply to the electric blower 13 is turned off and the inertial rotation is performed, the rotation sensor 3
Numeral 7 functions as a generator, and a sine wave AC voltage as shown in FIG.
This AC voltage (the rotation of the electric blower 13) changes its cycle and voltage gradually and follows the course as shown in FIG. 13 between the degree of drying of the futon and the output voltage. Treat as in the example and dry the futon.

Embodiment 4 In the fourth embodiment, a sine wave as shown in FIG. 15 is generated between the electrodes of the drive capacitor 45 of the motor 14 by the inertia rotation of the motor 14 by stopping the electric blower 13 as shown in FIG. Since the AC voltage is obtained, the inertial rotation state is detected using the AC voltage, and the processing procedure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

As described above, according to the first aspect, the degree of dryness of the futon is detected by detecting a change in the coasting speed of the electric blower 13 or a change in the coasting rotation cycle when the power supply to the electric blower 13 is stopped. Can be detected. Further, a time (or the number of rotations) from when the energization to the electric blower is stopped to when the rotation of the electric blower is stopped, a time (from the time when the energization is stopped to the time when the rotation of the electric blower is reduced to a predetermined number of rotations ( Or the number of rotations), or the time (or number of rotations) from when the power supply is stopped or after a certain period of time has elapsed after the power supply is stopped until the number of rotations is reduced to a predetermined ratio with respect to the number of rotations during power supply, is detected. The degree of drying can be detected.

Further, the power supply to the electric blower is stopped a plurality of times at a predetermined timing, and each time the blower is stopped, the coasting state of the blower motor is detected and compared with the coasting state at the previous stop, and the degree of drying of the futon is determined. The degree of dryness of the futon may be detected by comparing the degree of dryness obtained in advance with the relationship between the degree of dryness and the state of inertia rotation each time the power supply is stopped.

Second invention As described above, the weight of the futon containing the weight of water W is W ₀ + W, where W ₀ is the weight of the futon when dried, and the weight W ₀ + W of the futon is: Due to both the evaporation of moisture contained in the futon and the reduction of airflow resistance caused by bulging due to the expansion of air, the air pressure in the air passage from the blower motor to the drying mat (static pressure component + dynamic pressure component: dynamic pressure component is The pressure generated by the flow of air generated by the air), that is, the pressure loss changes as shown in FIG. 16 depending on the degree of drying of the futon. That is, the air pressure in the ventilation path decreases as drying proceeds. The present invention has been made focusing on this point.

Embodiment 5 FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, the embodiment is indicated by a serial number regardless of the difference of the invention for convenience of explanation).
It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of. The same parts as those in the embodiment of FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 46 denotes a pressure sensor disposed in the ventilation path 12 on the downstream side of the electric blower 13 with the pressure receiving surface exposed in the ventilation path 12. Reference numeral 19a denotes a pressure state detecting unit,
18 is shown in FIG. In the present embodiment configured as described above, the air pressure characteristic in the ventilation path 12 when the power supply to the electric blower 13 is stopped at a predetermined timing, or the air pressure characteristic in the ventilation path 12 when re-energization is detected. hand,
Judge the degree of drying of the futon.

FIGS. 19A and 19B show the case where the weight of the futon is W.
₀ + W and W ₀ , the power supply to the electric blower 13 is turned off.
State of air release at the time of
In the case where the weight of the futon is W ₀ , when the energization is OFF, the air escapes quickly and quickly reaches near the atmospheric pressure when the energization is OFF, and when the energization is ON, as compared to the case of W ₀ + W. Can reach a constant air pressure lower than the case of W ₀ + W in a short time. Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the preparation for drying the futon is completed, the start key is turned on to energize the electric blower 13 and the heater 16 (step S-1), and the timer is set to 3 for example.
It is set to 0 minutes (step S-2). When 30 minutes have elapsed (step S-3), the electric blower 13 and the heater 1
6 is turned off (step S-4), and the state of the air pressure in the ventilation path 12 is detected by the pressure sensor 46 (step S-5).

In this way, the electric current O
The state of bleeding air in the ventilation path 12 at the time of FF is detected by the pressure sensor 46, converted into an analog electric signal, and sent to the pressure state detecting unit 19a. The pressure state detector 19a converts the electric signal sent from the pressure sensor 46 into a pulse to measure and calculate (step S-6),
Detects the state of air pressure inside.

The drying state of the futon is calculated based on the information from the pressure state detecting section 19a (step S-7), and sent to the bottom 20 of the drying degree. The drying degree judging section 20 compares the information from the pressure state detecting section 19a with a drying end judging condition obtained in advance based on the experimental results of FIG. 19 to judge the degree of drying of the futon (Step S-8).
Note that the criteria for the determination and the control of the drying conditions based on the determination result (step S-8 and subsequent steps) are substantially the same as those in the first invention, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the above description, the energization O of the electric blower 13
Although the case where the degree of dryness of the futon is detected by detecting the air bleeding state of the ventilation path 12 at the time of FF has been described, similarly, the air pressure characteristic in the ventilation path 12 when the energization of the electric blower 13 is ON is detected. Also, the degree of drying of the futon can be detected.

Embodiment 6 FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the electric blower 13 and the heater 16 are continuously energized, and the detection of the pressure state, the determination of the degree of drying, and the like are continuously performed. When the determination result is 90% or more, the heater 16 is turned off (step S-9), and at the same time, set 10 minutes in the timer (step S-10), and when 10 minutes have elapsed (step S-1).
In 1), the power supply to the blower 13 is turned off to finish the drying.

When the judgment result is 80-90%,
Drying is continued by setting the input of the heater 16 to 50%, and when the determination result is less than 80%, the drying is continued as it is.

As described above, according to the second aspect, the time from when the air pressure detected by the pressure sensor is energized to the electric blower or when the energization is stopped to when it reaches the atmospheric pressure or a predetermined air pressure, or when the electric blower The drying state of the futon can be detected by detecting the time until the air pressure when the power is supplied to the air, when the power is stopped, or after the power is stopped is reduced to a predetermined ratio with respect to the air pressure during the normal power supply. . In addition, by detecting a change in air pressure during a predetermined time after energizing the electric blower, it is possible to detect a dry state of the futon. Further, by stopping the power supply to the electric blower at a predetermined timing and detecting the air pressure state each time, or by stopping the power supply to the electric blower at a predetermined timing and re-energizing the power supply to detect the air pressure state each time. , The degree of drying of the futon can be detected.

Third Invention In the drying mat of a futon dryer, the amount of swelling in the thickness direction changes with the progress of drying due to a change in weight of the futon and a change in airflow resistance due to the swelling of the futon. That is, before the start of drying, as shown in FIG. 22, the drying mat 7 is in a crushed state, and the thickness (bulge) of the futon is small. When the drying is started, the drying mat 7 swells due to the air pressure as shown in FIG. 23, and when the drying further proceeds, the futon gradually swells as shown in FIG.
At the same time, due to the change in the weight of the futon and the decrease in the ventilation resistance, the dry mat 7 also shows a bulged state. The present invention detects the swelling state of the drying mat as described above, and controls the drying condition of the futon based on the detection result.

Embodiment 7 The present embodiment utilizes the fact that the distance between the electrodes and the capacitance generated therebetween have a relationship as shown in FIG. This is to detect. FIG. 26 shows the relationship between the capacitance generated between the electrodes and the amount of evaporation of the moisture contained in the futon per unit time during drying. After about 30 minutes from the start of drying, the two are almost the same. It can be seen that there is a tendency.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory view of an embodiment of the present invention. 5
Reference numeral 5 denotes an electrostatic sensor composed of metal plate electrodes 55a and 55b mounted so as to face substantially the center of the upper and lower surfaces of the drying mat 7, and its signal lines 56a and 56b are connected to a connector 49 provided on the main body 1. I have. Note that the electrodes 55a and 55b may be mounted so as to face up and down substantially in the center of the inner surface of the drying mat 7.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. When warm air is blown into the drying mat 7 from the electric blower 13, the drying mat 7 gradually expands as the drying progresses, as shown in FIGS. As a result, the electrodes 55a, 55 of the electrostatic sensor 55 provided on the drying mat 7
The distance between the electrodes 55a and 55b gradually increases, and the electric charge accumulated between the electrodes 55a and 55b, that is, the capacitance gradually decreases as shown in FIG. The bulge detection unit 19d provided in the control device 17 calculates the capacitance by a calculation unit, and when a certain time has been reached, the drying degree determination unit 20 determines in advance the drying end determination condition obtained by an experiment in advance, and accordingly the drying mat. 7 and control based on the determination result is performed, for example, from step S-9 in the flowchart of FIG.

Further, the electric blower 13 is stopped at a predetermined timing (eg, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours) after the start of the drying, and the state of the swelling of the drying mat 7 after the stop is detected. Then, the drying conditions may be controlled. That is, when the electric blower 13 is stopped 30 minutes after the start of drying, the swelling of the drying mat 7 is reduced (dented) due to the weight of the futon, and the electrodes 55a, 55
Since the distance between “b” and “b” approaches, the capacitance increases as shown in FIG. 29A, and it takes t ₁ time to reach a predetermined value.

When the electric blower 13 is stopped one hour after the start of drying, it takes t ₂ hours for the capacitance to reach a predetermined value as shown in FIG. 29B.
Further, when two hours have passed since the start of drying, the electric blower 1
After stopping the time ₃ , it takes t ₃ time for the capacitance to reach a predetermined value as shown in FIG.

As described above, since the futon becomes lighter with the progress of drying, the swelling of the drying mat 7 due to the stoppage of the electric blower 13 is slowed down.
The change in the distance between the two electrodes 55a, 55b
The time required for the capacitance generated between 55b to reach a predetermined value also increases. This embodiment utilizes the above phenomenon,
The electric blower 13 is stopped at a predetermined timing, and the electrode 55 is stopped.
A time required for the capacitance between a and 55b to reach a predetermined value is detected, and based on the detected time, the degree of drying of the futon is determined. Based on the determination result, for example, the flowchart of FIG. The control after step S-9 is performed.

Further, the electric blower 13 is stopped at a predetermined timing after the start of the drying, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the blower is blown again to detect the swelling state of the crushed drying mat 7 so as to control the drying conditions. You may. That is, when, for example, 30 minutes have elapsed after the start of drying, the electric blower 1
When the air is restarted after a predetermined time (for example, one minute) has elapsed, the drying mat 7 bulges and the distance between the electrodes 55a and 55b increases, so that the capacitance is shown in FIG. Thus, it takes t ₁ time to decrease to a predetermined value.

When, for example, one hour has elapsed after the start of drying, the electric blower 13 is stopped, and then after a predetermined time has elapsed, the blower is started again. As shown in FIG. It takes t ₂ hours to decrease to a predetermined value. Further, when, for example, two hours have elapsed after the start of the drying, the electric blower 13 is stopped, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the air blowing is started again. As shown in FIG. It takes t ₃ hours to decrease to.

This embodiment takes advantage of the fact that when the drying proceeds as described above, the swelling of the drying mat 7 becomes slow due to the change in the airflow resistance of the futon, and the energization of the electric blower 13 is stopped at a predetermined timing. After a lapse of a predetermined time, electricity is supplied again to detect the time until the capacitance between the electrodes 55a and 55b decreases and reaches a predetermined value. Based on this, the drying degree determination unit 20 determines the drying degree of the futon. It is determined, and based on the determination result, for example, step S- of the flowchart of FIG.
9 is performed.

Embodiment 8 As described above, the amount of swelling of the drying mat, that is, the volume in the drying mat changes depending on the degree of drying of the futon. When the sound wave is sent and stopped as shown in 24,
The reverberation is attenuated in the early stage of the drying, that is, when the volume in the drying mat 7 is small as shown in FIGS. 31 (a), 31 (b) and 31 (c). Since the decay time becomes longer as the volume inside the drying mat increases, the amount of swelling of the drying mat 7 is detected from the decay characteristic of the sound wave, and the degree of drying of the futon is obtained.

FIG. 32 shows a configuration example of this embodiment.
The output of the oscillation circuit is amplified by the amplification circuit and sent to the speaker,
This is converted into sound and sent to the air layer in the drying mat 7, and after stopping the sound, the reverberation from the air layer of the drying mat 7 is received by the microphone and converted into an electric signal. The output signal of the amplifier is applied to an arithmetic unit, and the decay time of reverberation is calculated. The decay time is determined in advance by the dryness determination unit, and is compared with the swelling amount of the dry mat 7. The control after step S-9 in the flowchart of FIG.

When a sound of a single frequency or a certain band frequency is sent into the air layer of the drying mat 7 and the sound is stopped, the reverberation characteristic is obtained. The main frequency may be extracted by using the reverberation characteristic, for example, the attenuation characteristic of the sound pressure level or a filter, and the bulge amount, that is, the degree of dryness may be calculated based on the change in the frequency.

Fourth Invention FIG. 33 shows the change in the weight of the futon during the drying of the futon. As is clear from the figure, the weight of both the futon and the bed futon decreases as the drying proceeds. The present invention focuses on the fact that the weight of the futon decreases as the drying progresses as described above, and directly detects the weight of the futon to determine the degree of drying.

Embodiment 9 FIG. 34 is an explanatory view of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 6
5 is a pressure-sensitive sensor disposed between the bedding 8a and the floor (tatami), and 66a and 66b are signal lines thereof connected to the connector 49 provided on the main body 1. This pressure sensor 6
For the element 5, for example, an element in which carbon particles are dispersed in a rubber material and the electric resistance changes when pressed is used.

Now, the pressure sensor 65 is disposed between the fold and the bedding 8a to send hot air into the drying mat 7.
When an electric current is applied to the signal lines 66a and 66b at a constant voltage, the futon contains a large amount of moisture in the initial stage of drying as shown in FIG. The change is large. However, as the moisture evaporates as the drying proceeds, the weight of the futon becomes lighter, and the change in the electric resistance of the pressure-sensitive sensor 65 becomes smaller.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 35, a change in the electric resistance of the pressure-sensitive sensor 65 is calculated by the weight detecting section 19f,
The degree of dryness of the futon is determined by comparing the calculated electric resistance value and the electric resistance value for the degree of dryness of the futon obtained in advance by an experiment in the degree of dryness determination unit 20. Then, based on the result of the determination, the drying condition of the futon is controlled by, for example, the procedure of step S-9 and the subsequent steps in the flowchart of FIG.

FIGS. 36 and 37 show another example of the use of the pressure-sensitive sensor 65. FIG. 36 shows a case where the pressure-sensitive sensor 65 is disposed between the drying mat 7 and the quilt 8b, or 37 shows an example in which a pressure-sensitive sensor 65 is mounted on the surface of the device. FIG. 37 shows an example in which the pressure-sensitive sensor 65 is disposed between the drying mat 7 and the bedding 8a, or the pressure-sensitive sensor 65 is mounted on the lower surface of the drying mat 7. It shows. Even if the pressure-sensitive sensor 65 is disposed in this manner, the degree of drying of the bedding can be detected in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG.

In the above embodiment, the weight of the futon is continuously detected by a change in the electric resistance of the pressure-sensitive sensor 65, and when the futon reaches a predetermined value or in the vicinity thereof, the drying condition of the futon is controlled. Although the case has been described, a change in the electric resistance may be intermittently detected at a predetermined timing, and the drying condition may be controlled when the electric resistance reaches or reaches a predetermined value.

[0071]

As described in detail above, the inventions according to the present invention can be used to change the dry state of the futon or the like to the inertia rotation state when the power supply to the electric blower is stopped, the air pressure state at the discharge side of the blower,
The degree of drying of the futon, etc. is determined by detecting the swelling amount of the drying mat and the weight of the futon, etc., and the drying conditions are controlled according to the result of this determination. And a futon dryer with good usability and excellent energy saving can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the drying characteristics of futon.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a relationship between inertial rotation of a blower and time.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the embodiment of the first invention.

4A is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a front view of the rotating plate.

5 is an output waveform diagram of the rotation sensor of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control device in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 shows the number of rotations of the blower with respect to the degree of drying of the futon,
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship with time.

9A is an enlarged view of a main part of another embodiment of the first invention, and FIG. 9B is a front view of the rotating plate.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a relationship between the inertial rotation speed of the blower and a time until the blower stops.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a main part of another embodiment of the first invention.

12 is an output waveform diagram of the rotation sensor of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a relationship between an output voltage of the rotation sensor of FIG. 11 and time.

FIG. 14 is an electrical circuit diagram of another embodiment of the first invention.

15 is an output waveform diagram of the drive capacitor of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the weight of the futon and the air pressure in the ventilation path.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the embodiment of the second invention.

18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control device of FIG.

FIGS. 19 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the relationship between the weight of the futon and the air pressure when the power supply to the electric blower is turned ON and OFF.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining another operation of the embodiment in FIG. 17;

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when a drying mat is set on the futon.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when warm air is introduced into a drying mat.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when a further time has elapsed from the state of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance between electrodes (the amount of swelling of the futon) and the capacitance.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of evaporation of moisture contained in the futon and the capacitance.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the third invention.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to the invention of FIG. 27;

FIGS. 29 (a), (b), and (c) are diagrams showing the relationship between the time until the capacitance reaches a predetermined value when power supply to the electric blower is stopped at a predetermined timing. .

FIGS. 30 (a), (b), and (c) show the relationship between the time when the power supply to the electric blower is stopped at a predetermined timing and the capacitance reaches a predetermined value when re-blowing. FIG.

FIGS. 31 (a), (b) and (c) are diagrams showing reverberation states when sound is sent to an air layer in a drying mat.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing a configuration of another embodiment of the third invention.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a change in weight of the futon during the drying of the futon.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory view of an embodiment of the fourth invention.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control device according to the embodiment of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing another usage example of the pressure-sensitive sensor.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing another usage example of the pressure-sensitive sensor.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of an example of a conventional futon dryer.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing a use state of a conventional futon dryer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 6 Hose 7 Drying mat 8a Laying futon 8b Hanging futon 12 Ventilation path 13 Electric blower 14 Electric motor 16 Heater 17 Control device 18 Control part 19 Detecting part 20 Futon drying degree judging part 37 Rotation sensor 45 Electric motor driving condenser 46 Pressure sensor 55 Electrostatic sensor 65 Pressure sensor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshio Koike 1728 Komaeda, Hanazono-cho, Osato-gun, Saitama 1 Mitsubishi Electric Home Equipment Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-56-24565 (JP, A) JP-A-59-99 (JP, A) JP-A-1-300997 (JP, A) JP-A-4-272798 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Application No. 58-21350 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application No. Sho 62-192398 (JP-A) , U) Japanese Utility Model Hei 5-200193 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application 58-3196 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 58/00 D06F 58/28

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A futon dryer that heats air sent by a blower with a heater and introduces the air into a breathable drying mat to dry futons and the like, wherein the power supply to the blower is stopped after the air supply to the blower is stopped. It has a coasting rotation state detection unit that detects the coasting rotation state, determines the degree of drying of the futon etc. based on the information of the coasting rotation state detection unit, and controls the drying condition of the futon etc. according to the determination result. A futon dryer characterized by the following. 2. A futon dryer, which heats air sent from a blower by a heater and introduces the air into a permeable drying mat to dry futons, etc., wherein a pneumatic state for detecting an air pressure state on a discharge side of the blower. A futon dryer, comprising: a detection unit; determining a degree of drying of the futon or the like based on information from the air pressure state detecting unit; and controlling drying conditions of the futon or the like in accordance with a result of the determination. 3. A futon dryer for heating air supplied by a blower with a heater and introducing the air into a permeable drying mat to dry futons and the like, wherein a swelling amount detecting unit for detecting the swelling amount of the drying mat. A futon dryer that determines a degree of drying of the futon or the like based on the information of the swelling amount detection unit and controls a drying condition of the futon or the like in accordance with a result of the determination. 4. A futon dryer which heats air sent from a blower by a heater and introduces the air into a permeable drying mat to dry futons, etc., wherein a pressure-sensitive sensor is arranged below the futons and the like. Having the
A futon dryer characterized in that a degree of drying of a futon or the like is determined based on an output of a pressure-sensitive sensor, and drying conditions of the futon or the like are controlled according to a result of the determination.