JPH11137897A - Clothes dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a user strongly recognize necessity for cleaning a filter. SOLUTION: A microcomputer 40, when given a detection signal F from a clogging degree detection circuit 53, determines whether or not the level of the detection signal F has reached a reference value for determining an occurrence of clogging or over, and if it is over, determines that a clogging has occurred and makes such an informing action as intermittently energizing a light emitting diode 34A carried out at an ordinary mode. If it is determined on the basis of the level of the detection signal F and the detection result of the degree of clogging stored in a nonvolatile memory 50 that a filter is not cleaned and the state of occurrence of clogging will worsen, that is, that the filter is not cleaned, an informing action, e.g. intermittently energizing the light emitting diode 34A and a buzzer 46 at a specific mode is carried out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clothes dryer provided with a filter for capturing lint.

[0002]

Conventionally, in a clothes dryer, warm air generated by a fan and a heater is supplied to a drying chamber accommodating clothes to be dried to dry the clothes to be dried. Then, a filter is provided in the path of the hot air to capture the lint in the hot air. As the lint is captured by the filter, the filter becomes clogged. If the degree of clogging increases, the flow of warm air is hindered and the drying efficiency deteriorates.Therefore, conventionally, the degree of clogging of the filter is detected, and when a predetermined degree of clogging occurs, for example, a buzzer is notified. In this way, the user is prompted to clean the filter.

[0003] However, the above-described clogging notification is always uniform, and the user often gets used to the clogging notification and becomes less aware of the necessity of cleaning the filter. Therefore, there is a problem that the drying operation is continued without cleaning the filter, and the clogging is further advanced.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to make it possible to strongly recognize the necessity of filter cleaning, and as a result, to make it possible to perform an efficient drying operation. There is to provide a dryer.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot air supply means for supplying hot air into a drying chamber, a filter for capturing lint from the hot air, and detecting a degree of clogging of the filter. Clogging degree detecting means, storage means for storing a detection result by the clogging degree detecting means, notifying means, and a clogging degree detection result of the present time or a clogging degree detection result stored by the storing means. Notification control means for controlling the driving of the notification means.

In this configuration, the degree of clogging of the filter is detected by the degree of clogging detection means,
This detection result is stored in the storage unit. The notification control means drives and controls the notification means. In this case, based on the current clogging degree detection result or the clogging degree detection result stored in the storage means (previous clogging degree detection result). The driving of the notification means is controlled. If the result of the current clogging detection indicates a clogged state, the notification control means controls the drive of the notifying means to notify the clogging state. In addition, since the clogging degree detection result is stored in the storage means, the clogging occurrence situation continues according to the previous clogging degree detection result and the current clogging degree detection result stored in the storage means. (The filter has not been cleaned) or that the clogging condition has deteriorated (the filter has not been cleaned) can be determined. In this case, the notification control means notifies the notification means. By controlling the drive of
Deterioration of clogging can be notified by different notification patterns, and the necessity of filter cleaning can be strongly recognized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a normal mode and a specific mode different from the normal mode are set as the notification mode by the notification means, and the notification control means detects the degree of clogging by the degree of clogging detection means. When the level exceeds a predetermined level, the notifying unit is driven in the normal mode.When the clogging degree detection result exceeds the predetermined level and is larger than the previous level of clogging, the notifying unit is set to the specific mode. It is characterized in that it is driven by

With this configuration, when the degree of clogging detection by the degree of clogging detection means exceeds a predetermined level, that is, when it is determined that clogging has occurred,
The notification means is driven in the normal mode. Thus, the occurrence of clogging is notified. When the clogging degree detection result exceeds the predetermined level and is larger than the previous clogging degree, the notification unit is driven in the specific mode. Thereby, when the clogging occurrence situation is continuing or the clogging occurrence situation is deteriorating, the notification is performed in the notification mode different from the notification mode at the time of the normal clogging occurrence. Can be strongly recognized.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a normal mode and a specific mode different from the normal mode are set as the notification mode by the notification unit, and the notification control unit determines whether the clogging degree is detected by the clogging degree detection unit. When the level exceeds a predetermined level, the notifying unit is driven in the normal mode, and when the situation where the degree of clogging detection exceeds the predetermined level and becomes larger than the previous level of clogging continues for a predetermined number of times, the notification is performed. It is characterized in that the means is driven in the specific mode.

In this configuration, when the clogging degree detection result exceeds the predetermined level and becomes larger than the previous clogging degree for a predetermined number of times, the notification means is driven in the specific mode. In other words, since the notification unit is driven in the specific mode only when the condition in which the filter is not cleaned continues for a predetermined number of times, the notification operation in this specific mode is not performed if the user performs the filter cleaning during the predetermined number of times. You don't have to. In other words,
The notification operation in the specific mode can be minimized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a normal mode and a plurality of specific modes different from the normal mode are set as a notification mode by the notification means, and the notification control means is configured to perform clogging by the clogging degree detection means. When the degree detection result exceeds a predetermined level, the notification means is driven in the normal mode, and the situation where the clogging degree detection result exceeds the predetermined level and is larger than the previous degree of clogging has been continued for a predetermined number of times. It is characterized in that the specific mode is sometimes selected according to the number of times to drive the notification means.

In this configuration, when the situation in which the degree of clogging detection exceeds a predetermined level and becomes larger than the previous degree of clogging continues for a predetermined number of times, the specific mode is changed in accordance with the number of times, and the notification means is changed. Since the driving is performed, when the clogging occurrence situation is continued or the clogging occurrence situation is deteriorated, the notification operation form is different depending on whether the number of times is small or large, Thus, as the necessity of the filter cleaning increases, the necessity can be more strongly recognized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot air supply means for supplying hot air into the drying chamber, a filter for capturing lint from the hot air, and a degree of clogging detecting means for detecting a degree of clogging of the filter. An operation time abnormality determination unit that determines whether the required time for the drying operation has exceeded the abnormality determination reference time, a notification unit, and a notification mode include a normal mode and a specific mode different from the normal mode. When the clogging degree detection result by the clogging degree detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined level and the operating time abnormality determining means determines that the required drying operation time does not exceed the abnormality determining reference time, The notifying means is driven in the mode, and the clogging degree detection result by the clogging degree detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined level and the operation time abnormality determining means When the drying operation required time exceeds the abnormality judgment reference time is determined are those formed by and a notification control means for driving said informing means in the specific mode.

In the above arrangement, when the degree of clogging detected by the degree of clogging detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, it can be determined that clogging has occurred. Here, if the clogging continues without cleaning the filter, the drying efficiency deteriorates and the time required for the drying operation becomes longer. Even if clogging occurs, it is necessary to clean the filter, but the urgency is low as long as the required time for the drying operation is not so long. However, if clogging occurs and the drying operation time is long, the necessity of filter cleaning is urgent. In this regard, in the above configuration, the result of detection of the degree of clogging by the degree of clogging degree detection means is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, and the operation time abnormality determination means determines that the required drying operation time does not exceed the reference time for abnormality determination. In some cases, the notification means is driven in the normal mode, the result of detection of the degree of clogging by the degree of clogging detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, and the time required for the drying operation exceeds the reference time for abnormality determination by the operation time abnormality determination means. When it is determined that the notification means is driven in the specific mode, it is possible to recognize the necessity of the filter cleaning in the clogging occurrence situation. Thus, the necessity of filter cleaning can be strongly recognized.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the notifying means comprises a sound generating means. According to this, the necessity of filter cleaning can be strongly recognized by the notification sound. The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the notification means is constituted by an optical display means. According to this, the necessity of filter cleaning can be strongly recognized on the optical display.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a sound generating means and an optical display means are provided as notification means, the normal mode is a mode in which the optical display means is driven, and the specific mode is a sound generating means and an optical display means. Is a driving mode. In this configuration, since the normal mode is a mode in which the light display means is driven, the filter cleaning can be prompted by a relatively gentle notification operation, and the specific mode in which the sound generation means and the light display means are driven In this mode, the user's perception of the notification operation is increased, and the necessity of filter cleaning can be more strongly recognized.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the specific mode is a mode in which the sound generating means and the optical display means are intermittently driven in synchronization. According to this, the perception of the notification operation by the user is further increased,
The need for filter cleaning can be further strongly recognized.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, claims 1 and 2,
A first embodiment corresponding to the sixth to eighth inventions will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG.
The schematic vertical cross-sectional structure of the entire dryer is shown. This figure 2
, The outer box 1 is provided with an entrance 2 for the clothes to be dried in the center of the front part, and an opening / closing door 3 is provided at the entrance 2. The rotating drum 4 housed in the outer case 1 has a shaft 5 protruding from the center of the rear surface thereof rotatably supported by a support plate 6 provided at the rear of the outer case 1.
A cylindrical flange portion 7 formed on the periphery of the large-diameter opening at the front portion is provided with a rotary drum support 8 provided at the front portion in the outer box 1.
It is configured to be rotatable. The rotating drum 4 configured as described above is rotatably driven via a belt transmission mechanism 10 by a forward / reverse rotatable motor 9 disposed in the upper portion of the inside of the outer box 1. The inside of the rotary drum 4 is a drying chamber 4a.

A hot air supply device 11 serving as hot air supply means for supplying hot air to the drying chamber 4a has a ventilation hole 12 formed by drilling a large number of small holes at the rear center of the rotary drum 4.
And a fan casing 13 communicated with the vent 12
A two-wing fan 14 serving as a dehumidifier, which partitions the inside of the fan casing 13 back and forth and is arranged coaxially with the shaft 5;
And a PTC heater 16a and 16b (a heater) mounted on the rotating drum support 8 in a state of being located downstream (frontward) of the duct 15 in communication with the front portion of the PTC. In FIG. 2, one PTC heater 16
a), a hot air outlet 17 formed by drilling a number of small holes in the rotary drum support 8, and a belt transmission mechanism 18 for transmitting the rotational force of the motor 9 to the fan 14. I have.

A filter 19 is removably disposed in the vent 12 of the hot air supply device 11 so as to cover them from the inside of the rotary drum 4. Also, in the open portion on the back surface of the outer box 1,
The back plate 20 is provided with an outside air inlet 21 composed of a number of small holes at the center and a louver-like outside air return port 22 at a lower portion.

Under the rotating drum support 8, a pair of electrodes 23 for detecting the degree of dryness are attached so as to face the inside of the rotating drum 4 with a predetermined insulating gap therebetween. The casing 13 is provided with a temperature sensor 24 for detecting the temperature of the air flowing out of the rotary drum 4 through the vent 12, that is, the temperature in the rotary drum 4. A control circuit device 25 (see FIG. 1), which will be described later, for controlling the drying operation, and a circuit board 26 on which electronic components forming peripheral circuits are mounted are provided at the upper part.

Further, a rotation sensor 2 serving as a rotation speed detecting means is provided at a position corresponding to the motor 9 in an upper part of the outer box 1.
7 are provided. The rotation sensor 27 is connected to a motor pulley 18a of the belt transmission mechanism 18 (this is a motor 9).
Magnetic body 2 attached directly to the rotating shaft of
7a and a magnetic sensor 2 attached to the support frame 9a side of the motor 9 so as to face the rotation locus of the magnetic body 27a.
7b and a signal processing circuit 27c for shaping the waveform of the output signal of the magnetic sensor 27b to generate a pulse signal.

Next, FIG. 3 shows an operation panel 28 provided on the front surface of the outer box 1. The operation panel 28 is provided with a power switch 29, a start switch 30 for both temporary stop, a heater changeover switch 31, a course selection switch 32, and a good night course selection switch 33.

Further, on the operation panel 28, a filter state display section 34 as a notification means, progress state display sections 35a and 35b, a heater strong setting display section 36a, a heater weak setting display section 36b, course setting display sections 37a to 37e, and A good night course setting display section 38 is provided. The filter state display section 34 includes a light emitting diode 34A serving as an optical display means.
Drive control is performed by the microcomputer 40 via the microcomputer (see FIG. 1).

FIG. 1 schematically shows the electrical configuration of the control circuit device 25 and its related parts by combining functional blocks, which will be described below. That is, the control circuit device 25 is mainly configured by the microcomputer 40. The power supply of the microcomputer 40 is supplied from an AC power supply 41 via a rectifier circuit 42. Although not shown, a power supply of a clock pulse generation circuit 43 for supplying a clock pulse to the microcomputer 40 is provided. The power supply of the detection circuit 44 connected to the electrode 23 is also provided from the rectifier circuit 42.

The detection circuit 44 constitutes the dryness detecting means 45 together with the electrodes 23. For example, the resistance value of the electrodes 23 forming a pair (that is, an electric signal indicating the dryness of the clothes to be dried in the rotating drum 4). ) Is converted to a voltage signal, and the voltage signal is supplied to the microcomputer 40 as a dryness signal indicating the dryness of the clothes to be dried.

The microcomputer 40 receives the clock pulse, the drying degree signal, the switch signals from the various switches 30 to 33, the temperature detection signal from the temperature sensor 24, and the pulse signal from the rotation sensor 27. I have. And this microcomputer 40
Controls the drive of a buzzer 46, which is a sound generating means of the notifying means, via a drive circuit 47, based on the input signals and a preset control program, as well as the motor 9 and the PTC heaters 16a, 16b. Is controlled via the drive circuit 48. Further, the various display units 35a, 35b, 36a, 36b, 37 described above are provided.
a to 37e and 38 are driven and controlled via a drive circuit 49.

The microcomputer 40 has a non-volatile memory 5 such as an EEPROM as a storage means.
0 is provided. Furthermore, the heater 1
A current transformer 51 for detecting a current flowing through the heaters 16 and 16b is provided in a power supply path to 6a and 16b, and a signal processing circuit 52 is connected to the current transformer 51. The signal processing circuit 52 outputs a voltage signal that is substantially inversely proportional to the detection current as a detection signal F and supplies the detection signal F to the microcomputer 40. The current transformer 51 and the signal processing circuit 52 constitute a clogging degree detecting circuit 53 as clogging degree detecting means. The concept of the degree of clogging detection is as follows. That is, as the amount of lint adhering to the filter 19 increases, the distribution of warm air deteriorates. Then, the current flowing through the PTC heaters 16a and 16b decreases. Therefore, as the degree of clogging increases, the detection current decreases, and the detection signal F set in a relationship inversely proportional thereto increases. Therefore, the greater the detection signal F, the greater the degree of clogging.

Now, the microcomputer 40 comprises:
In addition to functioning as the operation control means for controlling the entire drying operation, it also functions as the notification control means, and also has the normal mode as the notification mode of the light emitting diode 34A of the filter state display unit 34 as the notification means and the buzzer 46 as the notification means. And a specific mode different from the normal mode.

In this case, the normal mode is a mode in which the light emitting diode 34A is turned on and off in an intermittent mode of 0.5 seconds on and 0.5 seconds off, as shown in FIG.
The driving of the light emitting diode 34A in the normal mode is as follows.
The process continues until the clog is cleared or the dryer is turned off. The specific mode is shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), the light emitting diode 34A is turned on and off in the same manner as described above, and at the same time, the buzzer 46 is turned off and on for 0.5 seconds in an intermittent mode for 0.5 seconds. .

The operation of the above configuration will be described. When, for example, the “standard” course is selected by the course selection switch 33 and the start switch 30 is turned on, the microcomputer 40 energizes and rotates the motor 9 and energizes the PTC heaters 16a and 16b. To generate heat.

Then, the rotary drum 4 and the fan 14 are rotated, and as shown by an arrow Y in FIG. 16a, 16b
The hot air is supplied to the drying chamber 4a, and the air is circulated from the drying chamber 4a to the fan casing 13 through the filter 19 and the ventilation port 12. The circulating air causes the clothes to be dried in the drying chamber 4a. Drying operation is performed.

Also, as shown by an arrow Z in FIG. 2, the outside air that is relatively cool is drawn into the fan casing 13 from the outside air intake 21 and then returned to the outside through the outside air return port 22. A passage is formed, and the fan 14 is cooled by the flowing air. As a result, the moisture in the air (in the warm air) flowing through the air circulation path is condensed on the front side of the fan 14 and condenses, so that the moisture coming out of the clothes to be dried in the rotary drum 4 is removed. A dehumidifying operation of returning to the state of water and removing is performed. Lint and the like contained in the warm air are captured by the filter 19.

After this, the microcomputer 40
Determines whether or not the dryness reaches a predetermined value based on a dryness signal provided from the detection circuit 44 of the dryness detection means 45. When the predetermined value is reached, the PTC heater 16
a and 16b are cut off to perform the cold air operation, and then the motor 9 is turned off.
To cut off the drying operation.

The microcomputer 40 reads the detection signal F from the clogging degree detection circuit 53 at a predetermined timing in the state where the motor 9 and the PTC heaters 16a and 16b are energized, for example, at the end timing, and performs filtering. The drive control of the light emitting diode 34A and the buzzer 46 is performed by judging whether or not clogging of the light source 19 has occurred, and the control contents are shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, in step S1, the detection signal F corresponding to the degree of clogging is read. The signal level of this detection signal F is FL1. The signal level FL1 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 50, and the previously stored signal level FL1 is rewritten as FL0.

In step S3, the current signal level FL
It is determined whether or not 1 is equal to or greater than the clogging occurrence determination reference value K. If not, the degree of clogging is determined to be low, that is, no clogging occurs, and the light emitting diode 34A and the buzzer 46 are not driven. In this step S3, when the current signal level FL1 is equal to or greater than the clogging occurrence determination reference value K, it is determined that clogging has occurred, and the process proceeds to step S4, where the signal level FL, which is the previous stored value, is stored.
0 is read, and it is determined in step S5 whether the signal level FL0 is equal to or greater than the clogging occurrence determination reference value K. If not, the signal level changes from no clogging occurrence to occurrence. If it is determined that the operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S5 according to “NO” in step S5.
Then, the process proceeds to 6 to drive and control the light emitting diode 34A in the normal mode described above (see FIG. 4A).

At step S5, the signal level FL0
Is determined to be equal to or greater than the clogging occurrence determination reference value K, that is, if it is determined that clogging has occurred twice or more, the process proceeds to step S7, where the current signal level FL1 is It is determined whether or not the signal level is equal to or higher than FL0. If it is determined that the signal level is not equal to or higher, that is, if it is determined that the situation of occurrence of clogging is not deteriorated, the process proceeds to step S6 described above. Light emitting diode 34
A is driven and controlled in the normal mode described above.

If it is determined in step S7 that the current signal level FL1 is equal to or higher than the previous signal level FL0, that is, if it is determined that the occurrence of clogging is deteriorated, step S8 is performed. Then, the driving of the light emitting diode 34A and the buzzer 46 is controlled in the above-described specific mode (see FIGS. 4B and 4C). That is, in addition to the intermittent driving of the light emitting diode 34A, the buzzer 46 is driven in the intermittent conduction mode. In this case, unlike the drive control in step S6, not only the flashing of the light emitting diode 34A but also the notification sound by the buzzer 46 is output intermittently.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the detection signal F having a signal level corresponding to the result of detection of the degree of clogging of the filter 19 by the degree of clogging detection circuit 53 is output. ) Is stored in the non-volatile memory 50 as a storage means. The microcomputer 40 controls the driving of the light emitting diode 34A and the buzzer 46 as the notifying means. In this case, the microcomputer 40 controls the signal level FL1, which is the result of the current degree of clogging detection, and the previous level stored in the nonvolatile memory 50. Based on the signal level FL0 which is the result of detection of the degree of clogging, the light emitting diode 3
4A and the drive of the buzzer 46 are controlled. In other words, based on the current clogging detection result and the previous clogging detection result, it is determined whether the clogging state is present, whether the clogging state is continuing or the clogging state is deteriorating, Moreover, the light emitting diode 3 according to each case
Since the drive contents of the 4A and the buzzer 46 are changed, the necessity of cleaning the filter 19 can be strongly recognized.

In particular, according to the present embodiment, the normal mode and a specific mode different from the normal mode are set as the notification mode, and when the occurrence of clogging is determined (when the signal level FL1 is equal to or higher than the reference value K). ), The light-emitting diode 34A is driven in a normal mode such as intermittent driving (blinking), and when the clogging occurrence situation is continued or the clogging occurrence situation is deteriorated (the signal level FL1 is a reference). When the light-emitting diode 34A and the buzzer 46 are driven in a specific mode of intermittently driving the buzzer 46 in addition to the blinking of the light-emitting diode 34A when the value is equal to or more than the value K and the previous signal level FL0 or more, clogging occurs If the situation continues or the clogging situation is worsening, the need for filter cleaning can be strongly recognized. That.

In this case, the light emitting diode 34A alone is used in the normal mode, whereas the light emitting diode 34A and the buzzer 46 are used in the specific mode. Become.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment mainly corresponding to the third aspect of the present invention. The second embodiment is characterized by the following points. Steps G1 to G5 are the same as steps S1 to S5 in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment. "NO" in step G3
(When the degree of clogging is low, that is, when it is determined that clogging does not occur), the process proceeds to step G8, and the parameter N for the number of times of determination that the clogging condition is deteriorating is cleared. If it is determined in step G5 that the signal level FL0 is not equal to or larger than the clogging occurrence determination reference value K (if it is determined that the clogging has occurred and the clogging has occurred), the process proceeds to step G6. , The parameter N is cleared (set to 0 times).

Then, the process shifts to step G7 to drive and control the light emitting diode 34A in the normal mode as in step S6 of the first embodiment. Then, if "YES" is determined in the above-described step G5, the process proceeds to step G5.
If the determination at step G9 is "YES", that is, if it is determined that the clogging condition is deteriorating, the process proceeds to step G10, at which the parameter N of the number of determinations is incremented. I do. Next step G
In step 11, it is determined whether or not the parameter N is equal to or greater than a predetermined number Nk. If the parameter N is equal to or greater than Nk, the clogging degree exceeds the clogging occurrence level and is larger than the previous clogging degree ( If it is determined that the number of times that the filter 19 has not been cleaned has continued for a predetermined number of times Nk (for example, three times), the process proceeds to step G12, in which the light emitting diode 34A and the buzzer 46 are set in the same specific mode as in the first embodiment. Drive control.

According to this embodiment, the light-emitting diode 34A and the buzzer 46 are driven in the specific mode only when the condition in which the filter 19 is not cleaned continues for a predetermined number of times. Is performed, there is no need to perform the notification operation in this specific mode. In other words, it is possible to minimize the notification operation in the specific mode.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment mainly corresponding to the fourth aspect of the present invention. The third embodiment is characterized by the following points. First,
As the notification mode, a normal mode, a first specific mode, and a second specific mode are set. In the normal mode, as shown in FIG. 8A, the buzzer 46 is turned on and off for 5 seconds in an intermittent mode of 0.5 seconds on and 0.5 seconds off, and the first specific mode is the same. As shown in FIG. (B), this is a mode in which power is cut off in the same intermittent mode for 5 seconds, and the second specific mode is as shown in FIG.
In this intermittent mode, power is cut off for 5 seconds.

Steps R1 to R1 in FIG.
0 indicates steps G1 to G of the second embodiment (FIG. 6).
Same as 10. However, the normal mode in step R7 is a mode in which the buzzer 46 is intermittently driven for 5 seconds as described above. Then, in step R11, it is determined whether or not the parameter N is equal to or more than a predetermined number Nk (for example, three times). If not, (if the situation where the filter 19 is not cleaned has not continued for the predetermined number of times Nk), In Step R12, the drive of the buzzer 46 is controlled in the first specific mode among the specific modes. In this case, the buzzer 46 outputs the notification sound in a longer time than the drive control in step R7.

If it is determined in step R11 that the parameter N is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times Nk (if it is determined that the state in which the filter 19 is not cleaned continues for a predetermined number of times), the process proceeds to step G13. Then, the drive of the buzzer 46 is controlled in the second specific mode among the specific modes. In this case, the intermittent drive time of the buzzer 46 is longer than the drive control in step R12.

According to the third embodiment, the filter 19
If the situation where the is not cleaned does not continue for a predetermined number of times,
The buzzer 46 is driven in the specific mode, and when the buzzer 46 is driven a predetermined number of times, the buzzer 46 is driven in the second specific mode. Therefore, the clogging occurrence situation continues or the clogging occurrence situation worsens. Sometimes, the notification operation mode is different between the case where the number of times is small and the case where the number of times is large, so that the necessity of cleaning the filter 19 can be more strongly recognized as the necessity of cleaning increases.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a fourth embodiment mainly corresponding to claim 5, and this embodiment has the following features. That is, it is detected that the drying operation has become excessively long, and the notification control is performed based on this detection result and whether or not clogging has occurred. In this embodiment, the notification mode includes an excessively long operation time notification mode, a normal mode, and a specific mode. The operation time overrun notification mode is a mode in which the course setting display sections 37a to 37e blink simultaneously, as shown in FIG.
The normal mode is a mode in which the light emitting diode 34A blinks as shown in FIG. 3B, and the specific mode blinks the course setting display sections 37a to 37e and the light emitting diode 34A as shown in FIG. Mode.

The specific control will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step Q1, it is determined whether or not the power switch 29 is turned on. If the power switch 29 is turned on, it is determined whether or not the storage data D (A) on whether or not clogging has occurred is "1". The storage data D (A) is “1” when clogging has occurred, and is “0” otherwise. For example, when the storage data D (A) is "1", the process proceeds to step Q3 to perform the notification operation in the normal mode (see FIG. 10B). After step Q3 or when "NO" in step Q2, the process shifts to step Q4 to determine whether or not the start switch 30 has been operated.
Then, the parameter B for determining the presence or absence of clogging used in this drying operation is initialized to "0".

Thereafter, in step Q6, the time count of the drying operation is started, and in step Q7, the detection signal F is read. Then, the process proceeds to step Q8 to determine whether or not the signal level FL1 is equal to or higher than the clogging occurrence determination reference value K. If not, the process proceeds to step Q9 to determine whether or not the drying operation has been completed. If not completed, the process proceeds to step Q10 to determine whether or not the operation time up to this point is equal to or longer than the excessively long operation determination time L (for example, 12 hours), and if not, the process returns to step Q7.

If it is determined that clogging has occurred during a period in which the drying operation time does not exceed the operation excessively long determination time L ("YES" in step Q8), step Q11 is performed.
Then, after the parameter B is set to "1", the process proceeds to step Q12, and the light emitting diode 34A is driven to blink in the normal mode (see FIG. 10B). If the drying operation is completed before the drying operation time does not exceed the operation excessive determination time L ("YES" in step Q9),
The process proceeds to step Q13, where the stored data D (A) is rewritten to "0" and the control is terminated.

Here, if the drying operation time exceeds the above-mentioned excessive operation determination time L ("YES" in step Q10), the flow shifts to step Q14 to determine whether or not the parameter B is "1". If it is not (if there is no clogging), the flow proceeds to step Q15 to rewrite the stored data D (A) to "0", and in step Q16, the operation time overrun notification mode (FIG. 10 (a) )), The course setting display sections 37a to 37e are driven (blinking simultaneously), and this control is terminated.

If it is determined in step Q14 that the parameter B is "1", that is, if it is determined that clogging has occurred and the operation time has been too long, the process proceeds to step Q17 to store the storage data D. (A)
Is rewritten to "1", and the process proceeds to step Q18 to perform the notification operation in the specific mode. That is, FIG.
(C) As shown, the course setting display sections 37a to 37e and the light emitting diode 34A blink, and this control ends.

According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to satisfactorily notify the user of an excessively long operation time due to the influence of clogging, and to perform the drying operation without any trouble. That is, if the clogging continues without cleaning the filter, the drying efficiency is deteriorated and the required time for the drying operation is increased. Even if clogging occurs, it is necessary to clean the filter, but the urgency is low as long as the required time for the drying operation is not so long. However, if clogging occurs and the drying operation time is long, the necessity of filter cleaning is urgent. However, according to this embodiment, when clogging occurs and the drying operation required time is not excessively long, the notification operation is performed in the normal mode, and when clogging occurs and the drying operation required time is excessively long, the specific operation is performed. Since the notification operation is performed in the mode, in addition to being able to recognize the necessity of filter cleaning in the clogging occurrence situation,
If the time required for the drying operation is excessively long in a clogging situation, the necessity of cleaning the filter can be strongly recognized.

The notification mode is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be as follows. In the specific mode (see FIG. 4) in the first embodiment, the light emitting diode 34A and the buzzer 46 are intermittently synchronized with each other in synchronization (both ONs are synchronized). As in the specific mode, the light emitting diode 34A and the buzzer 46 may be intermittently synchronized with each other in opposite phases (one on and the other off are synchronized). In this case, the light emitting diode 3
Since this is a special mode in which the light emission timing of 4A and the sound output timing of the buzzer 46 are reversed, the necessity of filter cleaning can be more strongly recognized.

FIG. 12 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the brightness of the light emitting diode 34A can be changed, the normal brightness is set to the normal mode of the notification mode, and the high brightness is set. Is the specific mode. That is, the driving circuit 61 of the light emitting diode 34A is
It comprises P-type transistors 61a and 61b. In this case, the anode of the light emitting diode 34A is connected to the positive power supply terminal (+5 V), and the cathode is connected to each emitter of the transistors 61a and 61b. The collectors of the transistors 61a and 61b are connected to a negative power supply terminal of 0V and a negative power supply terminal of -7V, respectively, and each base is connected to the microcomputer 40. In this case, the microcomputer 40 selectively turns on the transistors 61a and 61b. In the normal mode, the microcomputer 40 turns on the transistor 61a to apply a voltage of 5V to the light emitting diode 34A (luminance is normal luminance). In the specific mode, the transistor 61b is turned on, and a voltage of 12 V is applied to the light emitting diode 34A to cause the light emitting diode 34A to emit light with high luminance. According to this embodiment, the necessity of cleaning the filter 19 can be strongly recognized by increasing the luminance.

FIG. 13 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the volume of the buzzer 46 can be changed, the normal volume is set to the normal mode of the notification mode, and the large volume is set. It is a specific mode. The drive circuit 62 of the buzzer 46 has transistors 62a and 62b, and has a power supply terminal (+ 5V), (0V), (−7V).
V) are connected in the same manner as in FIG. According to this embodiment, the necessity of cleaning the filter 19 can be strongly recognized by increasing the volume.

FIG. 14 shows an eighth embodiment. In this embodiment, a buzzer 46 for a normal mode and a specific mode is provided.
Is changed. That is, in the normal mode, the power cutoff cycle is turned on for 0.5 seconds and turned off for 0.5 second (see FIG. 10A), whereas in the specific mode, the power cutoff cycle is turned on for 0.3 seconds. , 0.3 seconds off (see FIG. 3B). According to this embodiment, the necessity of cleaning the filter 19 can be strongly recognized by increasing the notification interval of the buzzer 46 in a short cycle. This driving method can be applied to the light emitting diode 34A. Further, the sound generating means of the notifying means is not limited to a buzzer, but may be a sound output device. The light display means is not limited to a light emitting diode, but may be a fluorescent display tube or a CRT display. A liquid crystal display may be used as the notification means.

[0060]

As apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the presence or absence of clogging and the deterioration of clogging can be notified in different notification patterns, and the necessity of filter cleaning can be strongly recognized. According to the invention of claim 2, when the occurrence of clogging is determined, the notifying unit is driven in the normal mode, and when the clogging occurrence situation is continued or the clogging occurrence situation is deteriorated,
Since the notification unit is driven in the notification mode different from the notification mode when the normal clogging occurs, it is possible to strongly recognize the necessity of the filter cleaning when the filter cleaning is not performed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the notifying device is driven in the specific mode only when the condition in which the filter is not cleaned continues for a predetermined number of times. It is not necessary to perform the notification operation in the specific mode, so that the notification operation in the specific mode can be minimized. Claim 4
According to the invention, when the clogging occurrence situation is continued or the clogging occurrence situation is deteriorated, the notification operation mode is different depending on whether the number of times is small or large, and it is necessary to clean the filter. The greater the gender, the stronger the need for it.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to recognize the necessity of cleaning the filter when the clogging occurs, and when the drying operation time is excessively long in the clogging occurrence state. The necessity of cleaning can be strongly recognized, and it is possible to contribute to prevention of excessively long drying operation.

According to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to strongly recognize the necessity of filter cleaning by the notification sound, and according to the invention of claim 7, it is possible to strongly recognize the necessity of filter cleaning by optical display. Can be done. According to the invention of claim 8, since the normal mode is a mode in which the light display means is driven, the filter cleaning can be prompted by a relatively gentle notification operation, and the specific mode is the sound generation means and the light display. In this mode, the necessity of filter cleaning can be more strongly recognized. According to the ninth aspect, the necessity of cleaning the filter can be more strongly recognized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of a dryer.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an operation panel.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a notification mode.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control contents.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of control contents showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of control contents showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing a notification mode.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of control contents showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an operation panel for indicating a notification mode.

FIG. 11 is a time chart of a notification mode showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a drive circuit diagram of a light emitting diode according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a drive circuit diagram of a buzzer according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a time chart of a notification mode showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 is a hot air supply device (hot air supply means), 14 is a fan,
16a and 16b are PTC heaters, 19 is a filter, 34
Is a filter state display section, 34A is a light emitting diode (notification means, light display means), 40 is a microcomputer (notification control means), 46 is a buzzer 50 (notification means, sound output means), and is a non-volatile memory (storage means) Is shown.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A hot air supply means for supplying hot air into a drying chamber; a filter for capturing lint from the hot air; a clogging degree detecting means for detecting a degree of clogging of the filter; Storage means for storing the detection result by the detection means; notification means; and notification control for controlling the drive of the notification means based on the current degree of clogging degree detection result or the clogging degree detection result stored by the storage means. Means for drying clothes. 2. A normal mode and a specific mode different from the normal mode are set as a notification mode by the notification means, and the notification control means determines that a result of detection of the degree of clogging by the degree of clogging detection exceeds a predetermined level. The notification means is driven in the normal mode, and when the clogging degree detection result exceeds the predetermined level and is larger than the previous degree of clogging, the notifying means is driven in the specific mode. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the clothes dryer is provided. 3. A normal mode and a specific mode different from the normal mode are set as a notification mode by the notification means, and the notification control means determines that the result of detection of the degree of clogging by the degree of clogging detection exceeds a predetermined level. The notification means is driven in the normal mode, and when the situation where the degree of clogging detection exceeds the predetermined level and becomes larger than the previous degree of clogging continues for a predetermined number of times, the notification means is set to the specific mode. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the clothes dryer is driven by. 4. A normal mode and a plurality of specific modes different from the normal mode are set as a notification mode by the notification means. The notification control means determines whether or not the result of detection of the degree of clogging by the degree of clogging detection means is predetermined. When the level exceeds the level, the notifying means is driven in the normal mode, and when the clogging degree detection result exceeds the predetermined level and is larger than the previous degree of clogging for a predetermined number of times, the state is determined according to the number of times. 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the notification mode is driven by selecting the specific mode. 5. A hot air supply means for supplying hot air into the drying chamber; a filter for capturing lint from the hot air; a clogging degree detecting means for detecting a degree of clogging of the filter; Operating time abnormality judging means for judging whether or not exceeds the abnormality judging reference time, notifying means, and a normal mode as a notification mode, and a specific mode different from the normal mode. When the result of detection of the degree of clogging by the detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined level and the operation time abnormality determination means determines that the required time for the drying operation does not exceed the abnormality determination reference time, the notification means in the normal mode. Is driven, and the result of detection of the degree of clogging by the degree of clogging detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, and a drying operation is required by the operation time abnormality determination means. When during that exceeds the abnormality judgment reference time is determined, the clothes dryer comprising and a notification control means for driving said informing means in the specific mode. 6. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the notification means comprises a sound generation means. 7. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the notifying means comprises an optical display means. 8. A sound generating means and an optical display means are provided as a notifying means, a normal mode is a mode in which the optical display means is driven, and a specific mode is a mode in which the sound generating means and the optical display means are driven. The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the clothes dryer is in a mode. 9. The clothes dryer according to claim 8, wherein the specific mode is a mode in which the sound generation means and the light display means are intermittently driven in synchronization.