JPH0910495A - Clothes dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a clothes dryer to dry clothes by hot air in a rotary drum driven by a motor which can shorten the time to dry clothes if the clothes are well dried without correction of the drying time when the difference between the temperature inside the rotary drum and the air inlet temperature of the heating device is changed, and can lengthen the drying time if the clothes are not dried enough without the correction. CONSTITUTION: A PTC heater 3 is attached in an air channel to the rotary drum in which clothes are dried, and hot air is sent to the heater by a heat exchange type double blade fan driven by a motor 5 together with the rotary drum. A drying time selector 12 detect the condition of the dried clothes in the rotary drum and corrects the remaining time to further dry the clothes. The clothes dryer also has a correction device 11 to correct the remaining drying time selected by the drying time selector 12, so that the time to be corrected can be changed according to the remaining drying time when the remaining time is corrected by the drying time selector 12 based on the correction by the correction device 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clothes dryer for sending warm air into a rotary drum which is driven by a motor to dry clothes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, household clothes dryers have become widespread, and it is required that they can be dried without unevenness in drying regardless of the kind of material to be dried.

Conventionally, this kind of clothes dryer circulates warm air in a rotary drum for drying clothes and detects exhaust temperature of the rotary drum, an internal temperature of the rotary drum and an intake temperature of the heating means. When the rate of change in the temperature difference obtained by the temperature difference detection unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, as shown in the rate reduction drying section of FIG. In general, the remaining drying time is set to a predetermined value. It should be noted that in FIG. 7, the curve a shows the temperature detected by the exhaust gas temperature detecting means, and the curve b shows the intake air temperature.

However, as shown in FIG. 8, the temperature inside the rotating drum becomes high when the environment temperature is high, when the amount of clothes inside the rotating drum is small, or when the clothes are large-capacity and dry. When the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature Tx in order to prevent the clothing from easily becoming damaged due to heat, the heating means is stopped and controlled until the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature Ty as shown in FIG. In this case, since it is difficult to determine the remaining drying operation time from the reduced rate drying state as shown in FIG. 7, when the temperature adjustment (hereinafter referred to as temperature adjustment) operation occurs, the time from the start of operation ( ton) and the temperature difference between the temperature inside the rotary drum detected by the temperature difference detection means and the intake air temperature of the heating means (T
The optimum delay time (td) according to the amount of clothes and the degree of wetness as shown in (Table 1) is set based on the son. In (Table 1), the unit of delay time is minutes.

[0005]

[Table 1]

In Table 1, the larger the Tson when the temperature control is working, the more the dry state is progressing, and the delay time td is set shorter.

[0007]

In such a conventional clothes dryer, the airtightness of the product in the mass production stage changes as compared with the product in the design stage, so that the temperature inside the rotary drum and the intake air temperature of the heating means are changed. When the temperature difference changes, for example, when it increases by 3K, the delay time td set when the temperature control occurs changes by one rank and is shortened by up to 20 minutes.
For example, when operating under certain conditions, in Table 1 the ton = 50 minutes and the product Tson = 5K had a Tson of 8
If it changes to K, the delay time td changes from 70 minutes to 50 minutes. In such a case, there is a problem that the film may not be dried depending on the conditions.

In order to solve the above problem, the dryness detection algorithm is usually programmed in a one-chip microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer), and it is impossible to change it in a short period of time. A method has been proposed in which correction input means is provided by a circuit around the microcomputer to correct td, and the delay time td can be uniformly +20 minutes by the correction input means.

However, in the above-described correction method, the drying time does not become undried, but even under the condition of being sufficiently dry without correction, the drying time becomes 20 minutes longer, and conversely becomes too long. There was a problem.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems. When the temperature difference between the temperature inside the rotary drum and the intake air temperature of the heating means changes, the drying time is shortened if the temperature is sufficiently dry without correction. Further, it is an object to correct the drying time to be longer so that the drying can be completed when the sheet is not dried without correction.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rotating drum for drying clothes, an air blowing means for sending warm air into the rotating drum, and an air blowing path into the rotating drum. The heating means provided, the motor for driving the blower means or the rotary drum to rotate, the drying time setting means for detecting the dry state of the clothes in the rotary drum and setting the remaining drying time, and the drying time setting means. Correction input means for correcting the remaining drying time set by the above, and when the drying time setting means corrects the remaining drying time based on the correction input means, the time that can be corrected can be changed depending on the length of the remaining drying time. This is the first means for solving the problems.

In addition to the first means for solving the above problems,
Exhaust temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature inside the rotating drum and intake air temperature detecting means for detecting the intake air temperature of the heating means are provided, and the drying time setting means detects the exhaust temperature and the intake air temperature detected by the exhaust temperature detecting means. The intake temperature detected by the means is input, and when the exhaust temperature reaches a predetermined temperature and the remaining drying time is set by the temperature difference between the exhaust temperature and the intake temperature and the operating time, the temperature difference based on the correction input means is set. The second is that the remaining drying time is corrected by correcting
Means to solve the problem.

In addition to the above first or second problem solving means, an input setting means for setting a driving course or the like is provided, and when the drying time setting means corrects the remaining drying time based on the correction input means, A third problem solving means is that the correction time can be changed according to the length of the remaining drying time for each operation course set by the input setting means.

Further, the correction input means of the above-mentioned first to third problem solving means is constituted by a storage means, and the storage content of the storage means is changed in accordance with the setting state of the input setting means to set the drying time. A fourth problem solving means is that the means corrects the remaining dry time based on the stored contents of the storage means.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided:
Remaining drying time is corrected when the temperature difference between the product in the mass production stage and the product in the mass production stage changes in the dry detection pattern where the remaining drying time is determined by the temperature difference between the exhaust gas temperature and the intake air temperature. When you need to
The correction time can be shortened if it is sufficiently dry without correction, and it can be lengthened if it was not dried without correction.By correcting the remaining drying time, And the drying time is not too long.

Further, according to the second means for solving the problems, the remaining drying time is set by adjusting the temperature when the environment temperature is high, when the clothes in the rotary drum are small, or even when the clothes are large in capacity and dried. When it is necessary to correct the remaining drying time in the drying detection pattern that is set, the temperature difference level can be directly controlled by canceling the change in the temperature difference level of the product, so the temperature difference level of the product changes. Even so, the change in drying time can be minimized.

Since the remaining drying time can be corrected for each set driving course by the third means for solving problems, dripping occurs in a certain driving course, which causes a problem, but in other driving courses, a problem occurs. Even when there is not, the remaining drying time can be corrected individually for only the target driving course without affecting the drying times of other driving courses.

Further, according to the fourth problem solving means, the remaining drying time can be corrected by changing the stored contents of the storing means by a special operation set by the input setting means, so that the user can dry in the market. If you feel that the time is too long or too short, a repair technician can operate it to set the drying time to an appropriate time.

[0019]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary drum 1 accommodates and dries items to be dried (clothes), and hot air is circulated in the rotary drum 1 by a heat exchange type double-blade fan (blowing means) 2. . The heat exchange type double-blade fan 2 circulates warm air in the rotary drum 1 and at the same time takes in air from the outside to cool the fan and dehumidify the circulating air in the rotary drum 1.
The PTC heater (heating means) 3 is arranged in the air blowing path to the rotary drum 1, that is, in the circulating air intake, and heats the circulating air.

The filter 4 is provided in the air blowing path of the heat exchange type double-blade fan 2, that is, in the air outlet of the rotary drum 1 so as to collect the thread waste in the circulating air.
The motor 5 rotationally drives the rotary drum 1 and the heat exchange type double-blade fan 2. First thermistor (exhaust temperature detection means)
Reference numeral 7 is for detecting the air temperature before heat exchange by the heat exchange type double-blade fan 2, and the second thermistor (intake air temperature detection means) 8 is PTC after heat exchange by the heat exchange type double-blade fan 2. The temperature of the air before being taken into the heater 3 is detected.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the input setting means 9 sets the driving course and the like, and the display means 10 displays the set state such as the set driving course by a light emitting diode or the like. As shown in, the course switch 9b can be used to select five types of driving courses: standard, finish, thick article, diaper, and shirt, and a light emitting diode (one of 10a to 10e) corresponding to the selected course.
Is turned on. Further, the strength of the PTC heater 3 and the presence / absence of fluffy keep can be selected by the heater and the fluffy switch 9c, and the light emitting diodes (10f-10h) corresponding to the selected condition are turned on. The fluffy keep is an operation for keeping the clothes fluffy even after the dry operation is completed.

The correction input means 11 is for correcting the drying time, and the drying time setting means 12 inputs the temperature detected by each of the first thermistor 7 and the second thermistor 8 to adjust the temperature. At the time of operation (when the temperature of the first thermistor 7 reaches Tx), the time (ton) from the start of operation and the first thermistor 7 and the second thermistor 8
Based on the temperature difference (Tson), the optimum remaining drying time (td) is set according to the amount of clothes and the degree of wetness. Here, the method of setting td and the value of td itself are the same as in the conventional example. The drying time setting means 12 is the correction input means 11
The remaining drying time td is corrected based on the data from At this time, the time that can be corrected can be changed depending on the length of the remaining drying time.

The control means 13 displays the information such as the driving course set by the input setting means 9 on the display means 10, and inputs the temperatures detected by the first thermistor 7 and the second thermistor 8, respectively. Monitor the temperature of each part,
The remaining drying time set by the drying time setting means 12 is operated. In addition, the control means 13 is divided into two PTCs.
The drying operation is controlled while controlling the relays 14a and 14b connected in series to the heaters 3a and 3b of the heater 3 and the motor drive element 15 that drives the motor 5. Reference numeral 16 is a power switch, and 17 is a commercial frequency power supply. Further, the drying time setting means 12 and the control means 13 can be easily realized by the microcomputer 18.

The operation of the above structure will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The correction patterns in which the correction time becomes longer as the remaining drying time td becomes longer are shown in FIGS.
As described above, three types are prepared and any one of A to C or no correction is selected based on the data from the correction input unit 11.

Therefore, since the correction time can be shortened when it is sufficiently dry without correction and the correction time can be lengthened when it is not dry without correction, the remaining drying time must be corrected. As a result, it does not become undried and the drying time does not become too long.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The drying time setting means 12 in FIG. 1 has a time (ton) from the start of operation at the time when the temperature is controlled (when the temperature of the first thermistor 7 reaches Tx), the first thermistor 7 and the first thermistor 7. 2 thermistor 8 temperature difference (Tson)
Based on the above, when the optimum remaining drying time (td) is set according to the amount of clothes and the degree of wetness, the remaining drying time is corrected by correcting the temperature difference based on the correction input means 11. . The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The operation of the above structure will be described based on (Table 1). In the case of correction for reducing the temperature difference by 2K, ton = 50 minutes and Tson = 7K, td =
It is 50 minutes, but td = 70 by -2K correction.
It will be 20 minutes longer due to the correction. On the other hand, ton =
When Tson = 25K in 90 minutes, td = 5 minutes,
The -2K correction results in td = 8 minutes, and the correction only increases the time by 3 minutes.

Therefore, when it is necessary to correct the remaining drying time, it is possible to directly control the temperature difference level in a manner that cancels the change in the temperature difference level of the product. The change in drying time can be minimized.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. When correcting the remaining drying time based on the correction inputting means 11, the drying time setting means 12 in FIG. 1 can change the time that can be corrected depending on the length of the remaining drying time for each operation course set by the input setting means 9. I am trying. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the same power supply voltage Vdd (Vdd = 5V) as that of the microcomputer 18 is divided by two resistors, and the divided voltage is input to the A / D conversion input of the microcomputer 18. In the case of FIG. 5, there are three systems of correction inputs. For example, the correction input 11a is for the standard course, the correction input 11b is for the finishing course, and the correction input 11c.
Is assigned for the shirt course.

In the microcomputer 18, input voltages ADIN1 to AIN1
DIN3 is A / D converted, and the amount by which the temperature difference is shifted is determined according to the input voltage for each operation course as shown in (Table 2). The other structure is the same as that of the first or second embodiment.

[0032]

[Table 2]

Therefore, since the remaining drying time can be corrected for each set driving course, there is a problem that the non-drying occurs in a certain driving course, but even if there is no problem in another driving course, another The remaining drying time can be corrected individually for only the target driving course without affecting the drying time of the driving course.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The correction input means 11 in FIG. 1 is composed of a non-volatile memory (storage means), and by changing the stored contents of the non-volatile memory according to the setting state of the input setting means 9, the drying time setting means 12 is made a non-volatile memory. The remaining drying time can be corrected on the basis of the stored contents. Other configurations are the same as those of the first to third embodiments.

The operation of the above structure will be described with reference to FIG.
When the power is turned on in 1, it is determined whether or not the three switches 9a, 9b and 9c are turned on at the same time. finish. Step 42
Then, the data from the nonvolatile memory is read, the correction rank (same as in Table 2) is set to RH, and the correction rank RH is displayed on the light emitting diodes 10a to 10h in step 43. For example, if RH = 1, the light emitting diode 10
a, if RH = 2, the light emitting diode 10b, ... R
If H = 8, the light emitting diode 10h is turned on.

In steps 44 and 45, if the switch 9c is turned on, RH is decremented by -1. Further, in steps 46 and 47, if the switch 9b is turned on, RH is incremented by +1. The possible values of RH at this time are from 1 to 8. Correction rank R again in step 48
When H is displayed by the light emitting diodes 10a to 10h and the switch 9a is turned on in step 49, the final adjusted correction rank RH is written in the non-volatile memory in step 50, and the process ends in step 51.

By rewriting the correction rank stored in the non-volatile memory by such a special operation, the temperature difference can be shifted and the remaining drying time can be corrected.

In this embodiment, as the correction input means,
Although the voltage divided by the resistor is input to the microcomputer, this can be easily realized by writing the correction information in the nonvolatile memory and communicating with the microcomputer.
Further, as long as the power plug is energized, the circuit configuration may be such that the microcomputer is energized regardless of whether the power switch is on or off, and the correction information may be written in the RAM inside the microcomputer.

Further, in the drying detection pattern in which the remaining drying time is set depending on the temperature control time and the temperature difference at that time, the temperature difference is shifted by the correction input means. It is also possible to classify into a plurality of ranks according to, and to set the correction time to 3 minutes for short ranks and the correction time to 20 minutes for long ranks. For example, in Table 1, the correction time for 0 ≦ td <20 minutes is 3 minutes, the correction time for 20 ≦ td <40 minutes is 7 minutes, ..., The correction time for 80 minutes ≦ td The time is 20 minutes.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, a rotating drum for drying clothes, a blowing means for sending warm air into the rotating drum, a heating means provided in a blowing path into the rotating drum, and A blower means or a motor that drives the rotary drum to rotate, a drying time setting means that detects the dry state of the clothes in the rotary drum and sets the remaining drying time, and a remaining drying time that the drying time setting means sets. Since the drying time setting means corrects the remaining drying time based on the correction inputting means, the time that can be corrected can be changed depending on the length of the remaining drying time. In the dry detection pattern in which the remaining drying time is determined by the temperature difference between the intake air temperature and the intake air temperature, when the temperature difference between the product in the mass production stage and the product in the design stage has changed, When it is necessary to correct the drying time, the correction time can be shortened if it is sufficiently dry without correction, and it can be lengthened if it was not dried without correction. By correcting the remaining drying time, the non-drying does not occur, and the drying time does not become too long.

Further, an exhaust temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature inside the rotary drum and an intake temperature detecting means for detecting the intake temperature of the heating means are provided, and the drying time setting means is the exhaust temperature detected by the exhaust temperature detecting means. And the intake air temperature detected by the intake air temperature detecting means, and when the exhaust temperature reaches a predetermined temperature and the remaining drying time is set by the temperature difference between the exhaust temperature and the intake temperature and the operating time, the correction input means Since the remaining drying time is corrected by correcting the temperature difference based on the above, when the operating environment temperature is high, when the clothes in the rotating drum are small, or even when the clothes are large in capacity, they are dry, When it is necessary to correct the remaining drying time in the drying detection pattern in which the remaining drying time is set by temperature control, the temperature difference level is adjusted by canceling the change in the temperature difference level of the product. Since it against control, even when the temperature difference levels of the product to change the change of drying time can be minimized.

Further, it is provided with an input setting means for setting a driving course and the like, and when the drying time setting means corrects the remaining drying time based on the correction input means, the remaining drying for each driving course set by the input setting means. Since the time to be corrected can be changed depending on the length of time, the remaining drying time can be corrected for each set driving course. Even when there is no problem in the course, the remaining drying time can be corrected individually for that driving course without affecting the drying time of other driving courses.

Further, the correction input means is composed of storage means,
Since the drying time setting means corrects the remaining drying time based on the storage content of the storage means by changing the storage content of the storage means according to the setting state of the input setting means, the user in the market If the operator feels that the drying time is too long or too short, the repair person can operate it to set the drying time to an appropriate time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a clothes dryer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the clothes dryer.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of an operation display unit of the clothes dryer.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a remaining drying time of the clothes dryer and a correction time.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a correction input unit of a clothes dryer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of main parts of a clothes dryer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing changes with time in temperature of various parts of a conventional clothes dryer.

FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing a temperature control operation of the clothes dryer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 rotating drum 2 heat exchange type double-blade fan (blowing means) 3 PTC heater (heating means) 5 motor 11 correction input means 12 drying time setting means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A rotating drum for drying clothes, a blowing unit for feeding warm air into the rotating drum, a heating unit provided in a blowing path into the rotating drum, and the rotating unit or the rotating drum. A driving motor, a drying time setting means for detecting a dry state of the clothes in the rotating drum and setting a remaining drying time, and a correction input means for correcting the remaining drying time set by the drying time setting means. When the drying time setting means corrects the remaining drying time based on the correction inputting means, the time that can be corrected can be changed depending on the length of the remaining drying time. 2. An exhaust temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature inside the rotating drum and an intake temperature detecting means for detecting the intake temperature of the heating means, wherein the drying time setting means detects the exhaust temperature by the exhaust temperature detecting means. And the intake air temperature detected by the intake air temperature detecting means, and when the exhaust temperature reaches a predetermined temperature and the remaining drying time is set by the temperature difference between the exhaust temperature and the intake temperature and the operating time, the correction input means The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the remaining drying time is corrected by correcting the temperature difference based on the above. 3. An input setting means for setting a driving course or the like is provided, and when the drying time setting means corrects the remaining drying time based on the correction input means, the remaining drying for each driving course set by the input setting means. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the correction time can be changed depending on the length of time. 4. The correction input means is composed of storage means, and by changing the storage contents of the storage means according to the setting state of the input setting means, the drying time setting means remains based on the storage contents of the storage means. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the drying time is corrected.