JPH0615093A - Dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a dryer which can suppress elevation of temp. of dry air flow and control loading to a solvent and exhibits high safety by opening an inlet valve and stopping feeding steam into a steam pipe when the detected temp. of the dry air flow exceeds a specified temp. under a condition where an outlet valve is opened. CONSTITUTION:An air blower 7, a cooler 8 and a heater 9 are driven and a valve 12 is opened and an inlet valve 13 and an outlet valve 14 are released and a dry air flow heated with steam passing through a steam pipe of the heater 9 is circulated between a cleaning and drying room 2 and a dry air flow path 5. A solvent evaporated from clothes in the middle of circulation is cooled and condensed by means of the cooler 8 and water is separated and removed in a water separator and the solvent is recovered in a tank 1. In addition, the heater 9 is driven and controlled so as to keep the temp. of the dry air flow at a preset specified temp. In this case, the outlet valve 14 is closed to lower the function of the heater 9 and, thereafter, when the temp. of the dry air flow after one or two minutes has passed exceeds the specified temp., the inlet valve 13 is also closed to stop feeding steam into a steam pipe.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dryer for drying an article to be washed such as clothes washed with a solvent such as petroleum.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A dryer for drying clothes washed with a flammable solvent, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-1158, has a drying chamber for storing clothes washed with a solvent and a drying chamber for storing the clothes. A heating device for heating the dry air, which is composed of a dry air passage for circulating the dry air, a steam pipe provided with an inlet valve and an outlet valve, a temperature detecting device for detecting the temperature of the dry air, and a temperature detecting device for detecting the temperature. An outlet valve opening / closing means for opening / closing the outlet valve so as to maintain the dry air temperature at a constant temperature based on the dry air detection temperature detected by the means.

When the outlet valve is opened and closed instead of the inlet valve as described above, it is possible to suppress a rapid change in the drying air temperature.
That is, when the inlet valve is opened and closed while the outlet valve is open, when the inlet valve is closed, the steam in the steam pipe suddenly escapes and the heating function of the heating means sharply deteriorates. The temperature of the drying air drops sharply when switching from non-heating, and accurate temperature control is not possible. However, in the configuration in which the outlet valve is opened and closed as described above, steam and liquefied hot water remain in the steam pipe even when the outlet valve is closed and the heating means is in the non-heating state, so that the heating function deteriorates. The degree becomes gentle, and it is possible to suppress the rapid decrease in the drying air temperature.

[0004]

The above-mentioned dryer has the advantage of being able to suppress the drastic temperature decrease of the drying air temperature as described above, but on the other hand, the half-drying air temperature does not easily decrease and conversely the residual heat of the heating means is reduced. For example, there is a possibility that the above-mentioned constant temperature is exceeded to some extent, and there is a danger that the vaporized solvent contained in the dry air in the dry air passage will catch fire. In particular, when a petroleum-based solvent having a low ignition temperature is used as the solvent, the danger is high.

Further, when it is desired to actively lower the temperature of the dry air, generally, the inlet valve is closed and the outlet valve is opened so that steam is instantaneously discharged from the steam pipe of the heating means. However, if the valve fails, the steam cannot be exhausted well, and similarly, the temperature of the drying air cannot be lowered, and on the contrary, the temperature of the drying air is increased, which poses a risk of ignition.

In view of the above points, the present invention is to provide a highly safe dryer capable of suppressing ignition to a solvent as much as possible.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a dryer has a drying chamber for accommodating an object to be cleaned which has been washed with a solvent, and a drying air passage for circulating a drying air in the drying chamber. A heating means for heating the dry air, which is composed of a steam pipe provided with an inlet valve and an outlet valve, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the dry air, and a dry air detected temperature by the temperature detecting means. Outlet valve opening / closing means for opening / closing the outlet valve, and the outlet valve opening / closing means for closing the outlet valve when the dry air detection temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. And an inlet valve closing means for closing.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a drying chamber for accommodating an object to be cleaned washed with a solvent, a drying air passage for circulating a drying air, an inlet valve and an outlet valve are provided. In a state of lowering the temperature of the drying air, heating means configured of a steam pipe for heating the drying air, temperature detecting means for detecting the heating temperature of the heating means,
Under the control of the valve control means for closing the inlet valve and opening the outlet valve, and under the control of the valve control means, when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, a valve abnormality determination for determining a valve abnormality And means.

[0009]

In the former configuration, in order to maintain the dry air temperature constant without causing a drastic temperature drop of the dry air temperature,
The outlet valve of the steam pipe of the heating means is controlled to open and close. At this time,
When the dry air detection temperature becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature with the outlet valve closed, the inlet valve is closed and the injection of steam into the steam pipe is cut off. Therefore, the rise in the temperature of the dry air is suppressed, and the vaporized solvent contained in the dry air is prevented from catching fire.

In the case of the latter configuration, when the inlet valve is closed and the outlet valve is opened to actively reduce the temperature of the dry air, if the valve fails, the temperature cannot be lowered properly, but the valve fails. Occasionally, the heating temperature of the heating means for heating the dry air does not decrease, and when this detected temperature is above a predetermined temperature, a valve abnormality is judged, and thus the solvent is also prevented from catching fire.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a dry cleaning device incorporating a dryer of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of a dry cleaning device. A solvent tank 1 containing a petroleum solvent containing a cleaning agent such as soap is provided below, and a cleaning / drying chamber 2 is provided above the tank 1. Inside the cleaning / drying chamber 2, a cleaning / drying drum 3 having a large number of through holes formed therein is rotatably supported.
Clothing to be cleaned is stored inside. The drum 3 is rotationally driven by a drive mechanism (not shown). The cleaning / drying chamber 2 is connected to the tank 1 via a supply passage (not shown), and is connected to the tank 1 below via a drain valve 4.

Then, the solvent in the tank 1 is supplied into the cleaning / drying chamber 2 and the drum 3 is rotated to perform a cleaning step, and the clothes in the drum 3 are cleaned. After washing, the solvent is collected in the tank 1 by opening the drain valve 4. Then, the drum 3 is rotated at a high speed to perform a liquid removing step, and the solvent contained in the clothes is removed by centrifugal force.

Next, the structure relating to the drying step performed after the liquid removing step will be described. A drying air passage 5 for circulating hot drying air during the drying process to condense and collect the evaporated solvent is connected to the washing / drying chamber 2 and inside the drying air passage 5 there is a windward side. Therefore, the lint filter 6, the blower 7, the cooler 8, and the heater 9 are provided. The cooler 8 is composed of a cooling pipe 10 for passing cold water, and the heater 9 is composed of a steam pipe 11 for passing steam.
The inlet of the cooling pipe 10 is opened and closed by a valve 12, and the inlet and the outlet of the steam pipe 11 are opened and closed by an inlet valve 13 and an outlet valve 14. In the dry air passage 5, the blower 7 and the cooler 8 are shielded by the first shield wall 15, and the cooler 8 and the heater 9 are shielded by the second shield wall 16.
These first and second shielding walls 15 and 16 have first and second communication holes 17 and 18, respectively.

Condensation of the solvent in the drying air passage 5 is specifically carried out in the cooler 8, and the condensed solvent is then separated by water in a water separator 19 which communicates with the cooler 8 at a specific gravity. And is collected in the tank 1.

Further, in the drying air passage 5, an intake duct 20 for introducing outside air between the cooler 8 and the heater 9, and between the blower 7 and the cooler 8 to the outside. An exhaust duct 21 for exhausting the exhaust gas is provided. The intake duct 20 is opened and closed by an intake valve 22, and when the intake valve 22 is opened, the second communication hole 18 is closed. The exhaust duct 21 is opened and closed by an exhaust valve 23, and when the exhaust valve 23 is opened, the first communication hole 17 is closed. A temperature detecting thermistor 24 is provided at the inlet of the drying air passage 5, that is, near the outlet of the cleaning / drying chamber 2.

FIG. 2 shows a block circuit of the dry cleaning device. The control of the entire apparatus is performed by a control unit 25 including a microcomputer.
Drives and controls the blower 7, various valves, and the abnormality indicator 27 based on input information from the keyboard 26, the thermistor 24, and the like.

3 to 5 show a flow of a program relating to a drying process which is incorporated in the control unit 25 and is performed after washing and draining. Hereinafter, description will be given based on these figures.

When desired operating information is set on the keyboard 26 and the start key is operated, the washing and draining steps are performed and the drying step is performed as described above. First, the blower 7, the cooler 8, and the heater 9 are driven (S1, S
2, S3 step). In driving the cooler 8, the valve 1
2 is opened, and when the heater 9 is driven, the inlet valve 13,
The outlet valve 14 is opened. As a result, the steam pipe 11 of the heater 9 is provided between the cleaning / drying chamber 2 and the drying air passage 5.
The dry air heated by the steam passing therethrough circulates as shown by the arrow in FIG. During this circulation, the solvent evaporated from the clothes is cooled by the cooler 8 and condensed, and the water separator 19
The water is separated and removed in this way and is collected in the tank 1.

The heater 9 is driven and controlled so that the temperature of the dry air is maintained at a predetermined temperature To set in advance. That is, unless the current drying air temperature T detected by the thermistor 24 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature To (S
4 steps), the presence / absence of the operation of the pause key on the keyboard 26 (S5 step) and the determination as to whether or not 10 seconds before the completion of drying (S6 step) are repeated.
In this repeated state, when the current drying air temperature T becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature To (step S4), the heater 9
The outlet valve 14 is closed and the function of the heater 9 is stopped (step S7). As a result, the drying air temperature usually starts to decrease, and after that, it is determined that the drying air temperature T detected again after 1 to 2 minutes is not equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature To (S8 step). T is the predetermined temperature To
Unless the temperature is lower than 2 ° C lower (S9 step), S
Steps S10 and S11 similar to steps 5 and S6 are repeated. In this repeated state, the drying air temperature T
Is below 2 ° C below To, the output valve 14
Is opened and the function of the heater 9 is restored (step S12). As a result, the temperature of the dry air begins to rise. After that, it is determined that the inlet valve 13 of the heater 9 is not closed (step S13), and step S4 and subsequent steps are executed again.

In the process of controlling the opening / closing of the outlet valve 14 to maintain the dry air temperature at the predetermined temperature To, steam and liquefied hot water remain in the steam pipe 11 when the outlet valve 14 is closed. It is possible to suppress the rapid decrease in the drying air temperature due to the gradual decrease of the function, but the heating function is decreased due to various conditions such as the residual heat of the heater 9 and the like, because the drying air temperature does not decrease easily. Outlet valve 1 to
Even if the valve 4 is closed, the temperature of the dry air may exceed the above-mentioned predetermined temperature To for a considerable time, and there is a danger that the vaporized solvent contained in the dry air may catch fire.

However, this danger is avoided as follows. That is, even if the outlet valve 14 is closed in order to reduce the function of the heater 9 in step S7, if the dry air temperature T becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature To due to various conditions after 1 to 2 minutes have passed, this is S8. Inlet valve 1
3 is also closed (step S14). By closing the inlet valve 13, the injection of steam into the steam pipe 11 is cut off, the further increase in the temperature of the dry air is significantly suppressed, and the vaporized solvent contained in the dry air is prevented from catching fire. In the closed state of the inlet valve 13, since the closing of the inlet valve 13 is determined in the subsequent execution of step S13, the inlet valve 1 is then closed.
3 is opened (step S15).

When the remaining drying time is 10 seconds, this is S
It is determined in step 6 or step S11. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the inlet valve 13 is closed and the outlet valve 14 is opened (S16, S17 steps), and the heater 9
The steam in the steam pipe 11 is discharged, and the blower 7
The heater 9 is cooled by the wind from. Then, when the drying time has elapsed (step S18), the drive of the blower 7, the cooler 8 and the heater 9 is stopped (S19, S20, S).
21 step), the drying process is completed.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the keyboard 2 is being dried.
When the pause key is operated in step 6, the inlet valve 13 is closed and the outlet valve 14 is opened in the same manner (S22, S
23 step), the heater 9 is cooled, and this continues for 10 seconds (S24 step), and then the driving of the blower 7, the cooler 8 and the heater 9 is stopped (S25, S26,
S27 step).

As is now apparent, the steps S7 and S12 correspond to the outlet valve opening / closing means in claim 1 of the present invention, and the step S14 corresponds to the inlet valve closing means.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a flow of a program incorporated in the control unit 25 for another drying step performed after washing and draining. Hereinafter, description will be given based on this figure.

In the drying process, first, the blower 7, the cooler 8 and the heater 9 are driven in the same manner as described above, and
The heater 9 is drive-controlled so that the temperature of the dry air is maintained at a predetermined temperature, and the solvent is evaporated from the clothes to dry (T1 step). Then, when the drying time becomes a few minutes remaining (for example, around a predetermined 5 minutes) (T2 step), the cool down operation is performed in order to positively decrease the drying air temperature in the drum 3 which has considerably increased during the drying. To be executed. That is, the inlet valve 13 is closed and the outlet valve 14 is opened, and at this time, the cooler 8 and the blower 7 are still in a driving state, so that the temperature inside the drum 3 starts to positively decrease ( T3 step).

When one minute of cool-down operation has elapsed (T4
Step), it is determined that the temperature of the heater 9, and consequently the temperature of the dry air detected by the thermistor 24, is 80 ° C. or lower (Step T5), and the outlet valve 14 is closed (T6).
Step). Then, when the cool down time, that is, the drying time has elapsed (T7 step), each output related to the cool down is stopped (T8 step), and the cool down and the drying are completed.

During the above cool down operation, for example, the inlet valve 1
When 3 is broken and fails, steam is continuously supplied to the steam pipe 11, so the temperature of the drying air does not drop below 80 ° C. Therefore, a negative determination is made in step T5. Then, all outputs are stopped (T9 step), and the abnormality indicator 27 is driven to notify the valve abnormality (T10 step). As a result, if the valve remains abnormal, the temperature of the dry air does not decrease as expected and rises in the opposite direction, increasing the risk of igniting the vaporized solvent contained in the dry air, but this is avoided in advance. .

As is now apparent, the T3 step corresponds to the valve control means in claim 2 of the present invention, and the T5 step corresponds to the valve abnormality determining means.

After the completion of any of the above drying steps, the deodorizing step is executed before taking out the clothes. That is, the intake valve 22 opens the intake duct 20 to open the second communication hole 1
8, the exhaust valve 23 opens the exhaust duct 21 to close the first communication hole 17, and the blower 7 is driven.
As a result, the outside air enters the drying air passage 5 from the intake duct 20, passes through the washing / drying chamber 2 and is discharged to the outside from the exhaust duct 21, and fresh outside air is continuously supplied to the clothes in the drum 3 to deodorize. Is done.

[0032]

According to the dryer of the present invention, in the constitution of claim 1, in order to maintain the drying air temperature constant without causing a drastic temperature decrease of the drying air temperature, the steam pipe of the heating means is provided. When the outlet air valve is closed and the dry air detection temperature reaches or exceeds the specified temperature when the outlet valve is closed, the inlet valve is closed and the injection of steam into the steam pipe is cut off. It is possible to suppress the rise in temperature, avoid the ignition of the vaporized solvent contained in the dry air, and ensure the safety.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the inlet valve is closed and the outlet valve is opened to actively reduce the temperature of the dry air, if the valve fails, the temperature cannot be lowered properly. When the heating temperature of the heating means that heats the dry air does not decrease and the detected temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature, a valve abnormality is judged, and therefore, the solvent can be prevented from catching fire as well, and safety is improved. Can be secured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a dry cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a drying process program incorporated in a control unit of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a drying process program.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a drying process program.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another drying process program.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Cleaning / drying room 5 Drying air passage 9 Heater 11 Steam pipe 13 Inlet valve 14 Outlet valve 24 Thermistor 25 Control unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A drying chamber for accommodating an object to be cleaned washed with a solvent, a drying air passage for circulating drying air in the drying chamber, and a steam pipe provided with an inlet valve and an outlet valve. Heating means for heating air, temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the dry air, outlet valve opening / closing means for opening / closing the outlet valve based on the dry air detected temperature by the temperature detecting means, and outlet valve opening / closing means With the outlet valve closed, the dryer comprising inlet valve closing means for closing the inlet valve when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. 2. A drying chamber for accommodating an object to be cleaned washed with a solvent, a drying air passage for circulating drying air in the drying chamber, and a steam pipe provided with an inlet valve and an outlet valve. Heating means for heating the air, temperature detecting means for detecting the heating temperature of the heating means, and valve control means for closing the inlet valve and opening the outlet valve in a state where the temperature of the drying air is lowered. And a valve abnormality determination means for determining a valve abnormality when the temperature detected by the temperature detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature under the control of the valve control means.