KR100819596B1 - Clogging detecting apparatus for dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for detecting clogging of a dryer is provided to judge clogged state of an air path and offer a user a warning message visually and auditory when the air path is overly clogged. A device for detecting clogging of a dryer comprises a judging unit and a display unit(9b). The judging unit judges clogging degree of an air path. The display unit displays the clogging degree of the air path in multiple stages with letters, figures, numbers, and graphs.

Description

Clogging Detection Device of Dryer {CLOGGING DETECTING APPARATUS FOR DRYER}

1 is a cross-sectional view of a dryer according to the present invention.

2 is an exploded perspective view of a dryer according to the present invention.

3 is a partial cutaway view of a dryer according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the clogging detection apparatus of the dryer according to the present invention.

5 is an embodiment of the sensing circuit of FIG. 4.

6 and 7 are graphs of output waveforms of the sensing circuit.

8 is an on / off graph recognized by the microcomputer.

9 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the clogging detection apparatus of the dryer according to the present invention.

10 are on / off graphs of a drying operation according to a temperature recognized by the microcomputer of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating temperature change recognized by the microcomputer of FIG. 9.

12 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of a clogging detection method of a dryer according to the present invention.

13 is a flow chart of a second embodiment of the clogging detection method of the dryer according to the present invention.

14 to 16 show examples of a clogging detection method according to the present invention.

17 to 20 are other embodiments according to the clogging detection method according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

9a: input section 9b: display section

30: heater 43: blowing fan

80: detection circuit 90: microcomputer

The present invention relates to a dryer, and more particularly, to a clogging detection device for a dryer for checking and displaying a degree of blockage of an air flow path.

In general, a dry washing machine includes a main body having a predetermined shape, a drum installed inside the main body, a toughness surrounding the drum and collecting wash water, a driving motor for rotating the drum, and a detergent container for injecting detergent. And a water supply pipe connected to the detergent container for supplying the washing water or the washing water mixed with the detergent of the detergent container, a drain pipe for discharging the washing water used in the washing stroke to the outside, and forcibly draining the washing water connected to the end of the drain pipe. It consists of pump and drain hose.

Such a washing machine having a drying function is to wash laundry by friction with the washing water generated by dropping the laundry feeling and washing water into the drum when the drum is rotated in the direction of gravity. In recent years, such a drum washing machine has been added to its function to dry not only laundry but also dry laundry by hot air.

The dry washing machine as described above may be further divided into condensation type and exhaust type, and the condensation type sends heat generated by the heater to the drum side by a blowing fan to dry the laundry in the drum. At this time, the air in the drum drying the laundry is in a high temperature and high humidity state and is moved to the exhaust port communicating with the tub. At this time, a nozzle for injecting cold water is installed at one side of the exhaust port to remove moisture from the high temperature and high humidity air to supply dry air to the blower fan again.

In the exhaust type, the hot air generated by the heater and the blower fan is passed through the laundry in the drum, and then the hot air is discharged to the outside of the washing machine through the exhaust port formed at one side of the washing machine. Here, the exhaust port is connected by a corrugated hose that is connected to the tough, the exhaust port serves as a pore when the infant or pet is trapped in the washing machine.

In such a washing machine having an exhaust type drying function, lint (fine lint) is generated in the dryness of the laundry. The lint circulates along the hot air from the drum in the washing machine and is discharged out of the washing machine along the exhaust port.

To prevent lint from blocking the exhaust port due to long-term use of the washing machine, the lint can be collected regularly so that lint generated from the laundry after washing does not accumulate in the exhaust port discharged to the outside of the washing machine. The filter is mounted.

Since the dryer according to the prior art passes through the outer wall to which the exhaust port is connected, it does not perform any procedure for checking the initial state (at the time of installation) of the exhaust port penetrating the outer wall, thus meeting the minimum specification for the operation of the dryer. The installer has no choice but to decide whether to do so.

In addition, the dryer according to the prior art recommends cleaning the filter every time the clothes dryer is used, but the filter is almost neglected due to the inconvenience and hassle of cleaning. As time increases or power consumption increases, the greater the degree of blockage, the finer the lint is not trapped in the filter, it can float and cling inside the clothes and dryers, contaminating the clothes. Moreover, in the case of the exhaust type dryer, it is quite difficult for the user to confirm the blockage of such an exhaust port when lint is laminated on the exhaust port itself, which discharges the air which has been dried out of the dryer, to hinder the flow of air.

In addition, the dryer according to the prior art only determines or confirms the clogging of the exhaust port, but does not provide any information on the degree of clogging of the exhaust port or the air flow passage that is currently in progress.

In order to solve this problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a clogging detection device and method of the dryer that can more accurately determine the degree of clogging of the air flow path.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a clogging detection device and method of the dryer to check the information on the blocked portion along with the degree of clogging of the air flow path to display and provide the current state of the air flow path to the user. .

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for detecting clogging of a dryer, which provides clogging information of an air passage in response to environmental changes such as performing a drying operation or moving and cleaning.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an operation panel of a dryer that enables the identification and display of clogging information in an air flow path according to a user's command.

The clogging detection device of the dryer of the present invention comprises a determination unit for determining the degree of blockage of the air flow path, and a display unit for displaying the blockage degree to the user.

In addition, the display unit preferably displays the degree of clogging in at least two stages.

The display unit may display a warning message when the degree of blockage is greater than or equal to the threshold level.

It is also desirable to visually or visually indicate the degree of blockage.

In addition, the display unit preferably displays the degree of blockage of the lint filter and the degree of blockage of the exhaust duct.

In addition, the display unit preferably displays the degree of blockage using at least one of a character, a figure, a number, and a graph.

In addition, the blockage detection device preferably includes an input unit to start the determination operation of the determination unit in response to a determination command from the user.

In addition, the blockage detecting device preferably comprises a storage unit for storing the blockage of the air flow path.

In addition, the blockage detecting device preferably comprises an operation unit for performing a drying operation for the air flow path, and a stop portion for stopping the drying operation by the operation unit.

In addition, the interruption unit cuts off the power supply to the operation unit, and the determination unit detects the on / off of the drying operation by the interruption unit, and the on / off of the drying operation detected by the detection unit Accordingly, it is preferable that the controller is configured to determine the degree of blockage of the air flow path.

In addition, the blockage detection device preferably includes a connection line for connecting the detection unit and the operation unit or the interruption unit.

In addition, the control unit preferably checks the degree of clogging of the air flow path by calculating the on / off duty ratio of the drying operation by the stop.

In addition, the clogging detection apparatus further includes a comparison unit for comparing the determined degree of blockage with the degree of blockage of the at least one pre-stored air flow path, it is preferable that the display unit displays the comparison result.

In addition, the blockage detecting apparatus initializes the determined blockage degree when the difference value between the determined blockage degree and the initial blockage degree among the previously stored blockage levels does not correspond to an initial difference value reference range according to a result of the comparing unit. It is preferable to have an initial state setting part for setting the degree of clogging.

In addition, when there is no pre-stored blockage degree, the blockage detecting device preferably includes an initial state setting unit that sets the determined blockage degree to an initial blockage degree.

In addition, it is preferable that the initial blockage is a blockage of the exhaust duct.

In addition, the clogging detection device preferably comprises a setting unit for setting the degree of clogging of the lint filter or the degree of clogging progress of the comparison result between the determined degree of clogging by the comparator and the last stored blockage.

In addition, the clogging detection device may be compared with the blockage criterion of the lint filter and the difference between the first block compared with the blockage criterion and the criterion of the exhaust duct and the pre-stored blockage and the blockage It is preferable to have a 2nd comparative part.

In addition, the blockage detecting device preferably includes a display unit which displays the blockage of the exhaust duct or the blockage of the lint filter according to a comparison result of the first comparison unit or the second comparison unit.

In addition, the operation panel of the dryer of the present invention comprises an input unit for obtaining a request for determining the degree of blockage of the air flow path from the user, and a display unit for displaying the degree of blockage of the air flow path in response to the determination request.

In addition, the clogging detection method of the present invention is the step of determining the degree of blockage of the air flow path, when the initial blockage degree is pre-stored, comparing the determined blockage degree, and the initial blockage degree, and the comparison result A first storage step of storing the determined degree of blockage as a new initial level of blockage if the difference between the determined degree of blockage and the initial level of blockage does not fall within the initial difference value reference range; and if the initial level of blockage is not stored, And a second storing step of storing the determined degree of blockage as an initial degree of blockage.

In addition, the clogging detection method of the dryer of the present invention comprises the steps of determining the degree of blockage of the air flow path, comparing the degree of blockage with the blockage criterion of the pre-stored exhaust duct, and in the comparison step, the degree of blockage is the exhaust If it corresponds to the criterion of the blockage of the duct, the step of indicating the blockage of the exhaust duct.

In the following, the invention has been described in detail based on the embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments and drawings, and the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the contents described in the claims below.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a dryer according to the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the dryer according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a partial cutaway view of the dryer according to the present invention. The present invention uses the exhaust type dryer as an embodiment, but is not necessarily limited to the exhaust type dryer.

As shown in FIG. 1, the exhaust type dryer according to the present embodiment includes a drum 10 disposed inside the cabinet 1 to accommodate a fabric and a suction flow path 20 installed to suck air into the drum 10. And a heater 30 provided on the suction passage 20 and an exhaust passage 40 installed so that the air passing through the drum 10 is exhausted to the outside of the cabinet 1. In addition, when the exhaust type dryer is installed, an external exhaust duct 50 coupled to the exhaust flow passage 40 and passing through the inner wall 60 of the building and the like to exhaust the air to the outside is installed.

The blower fan 43 is provided on one side of the suction flow path 20 and the exhaust flow path 40, and will be described below in that it is provided in the exhaust flow path 40.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cabinet 1 includes a base fan 2, a cabinet main body 3 installed on the upper side of the base fan 2, and a cabinet cover provided on the front of the cabinet main body 3. (4), a back panel (7) provided on the back of the cabinet body (3), a top cover (8) provided on the upper surface of the cabinet body (3), and a control panel (9) provided on the top of the cabinet cover (4). It is configured to include).

As shown in FIG. 2, the cabinet cover 4 is formed with a gun entry hole 5 so that the carriage drum 10 can enter and exit and a door 6 for opening and closing the gun entry hole 5 is rotated. Possibly connected. In addition, a control panel 9 is installed at the upper end of the cabinet cover 4. The control panel 9 includes an input unit 9a for acquiring a user's input, and a display unit for displaying the state of the dryer (for example, drying progress, drying progress, remaining time of drying, selection of drying mode, etc.). 9b is provided. Moreover, the front supporter 11 which mounts the back end of the drum 10 rotatably is mounted in the back of the cabinet cover 4.

In front of the back panel 7, a rear supporter 12 is mounted to support the rear end of the drum 10 in a rotatable manner. The rear supporter 12 is formed with a communication hole 13 for communicating the suction passage 20 and the inlet of the drum 10 so that air passing through the suction passage 20 can be sucked into the inlet of the drum 10. .

2 and 3, the drum 10 is a circular cylinder that is accommodated therein and opened in the front-rear direction so that air passes in the front-rear direction, and the rear opening forms the drum inlet, and the front opening is the drum. Form an outlet. The drum 10 is installed so that the lift 14 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface so that the fabric can be lifted and dropped during rotation.

The suction passage 20 is formed by a suction duct installed so that the lower end communicates with the rear end of the heater 30 and the upper end communicates with the communication hole 13 of the rear supporter 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heater 30 is disposed on the upper surface of the base fan 2 and arranged in the heater case communicating with the suction passage 20, that is, the suction duct 20, and inside the heater case. When the power is supplied to the heating coil, the inner space of the heater case and the heater case are heated to heat the air passing through the inside of the heater case with high temperature and low humidity air.

2 and 3, the exhaust flow passage 40 is installed to communicate with the drum outlet so that the air inside the drum 10 can be exhausted, and to filter foreign matter such as seams in the exhaust air. A lint duct 42 having a lint filter 41 mounted thereon, a fan housing 44 communicating with the lint duct 42 and having a blower fan 43 built therein, and one end communicating with the fan housing 44 and the other end thereof. The other end is made by an exhaust pipe 46 extending out of the cabinet 1. The exhaust pipe 46 is connected to an external exhaust duct 50 for guiding outdoor air exhausted to the outside of the cabinet 1. The external exhaust duct is formed outside the cabinet 1 to direct air to the external space and can pass through the building inner wall 60.

The air flow path used in the present invention includes a suction flow path 20, an internal space of the drum 10, an exhaust flow path 40, and an external exhaust duct 50, and the clogging of the air flow path is the exhaust flow path 40. Mainly occurs in the lint filter 41 and the external exhaust duct 50. The degree of obstruction of air flow due to the blockage of the lint filter 41 of the exhaust passage 40 is relatively smaller than the degree of obstruction of air flow due to the blockage of the external exhaust duct 50.

The operation of the exhaust dryer is an embodiment of the present invention is as follows.

First, after the cloth is introduced into the drum 10, the door 6 is closed, and the control panel 9 is operated to operate the exhaust dryer, and the exhaust dryer turns on the heater 30 and the motor. Drive 72.

When the heater 30 is turned on, the heater 30 heats the inside, and when the motor 72 is driven, the belt 70 and the blowing fan 43 rotate. When the belt 70 rotates, the drum 10 is rotated, and the artillery in the drum 10 is lifted up by the lift 14 and then repeatedly drops.

When the blowing fan 43 is rotated, air outside the cabinet 1 is sucked into the air suction hole 7a of the back cover 7 by the blowing force generated when the blowing fan 43 is rotated, and the cabinet 1 ) And the drum 10. The air between the cabinet 1 and the drum 10 changes into high temperature and low humidity as it enters the heater 30 and is heated, and thereafter, the drum passes through the communication hole 13 of the suction channel 20 and the rear supporter 12. It is sucked into the inside of 10.

The high temperature and low humidity air sucked into the drum 10 is brought into contact with the cloth while moving toward the front of the drum 10, and changes to high humidity. Then, the air is exhausted into the exhaust passage 40.

Air exhausted to the exhaust flow passage 40 passes through the exhaust pipe 46 as it is and is exhausted to the outside through the external exhaust duct 50.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a clogging detection device of the dryer according to the present invention. The blockage detecting device shown in FIG. 4 receives an external commercial power source and is supplied to the heater 30, but is turned on / off according to the temperature of the heater 30 or the temperature of the air heated by the heater 30. And a switch SW for inputting commercial power to the heater 30 by being turned on / off by the second thermostat TS1 and TS2 and the control command of the microcomputer 90, the input unit 9a, The display unit 9b, the heater 30, the blower fan 43, the motor 72, and the first and second thermostats TS1, TS2 to the heater 30 in accordance with the on / off The sensing circuit 80 for determining whether to supply power and the microcomputer 90 for determining whether the first and second thermostats TS1 and TS2 are operable according to the power supply state from the sensing circuit 80. Is done. However, although a power supply unit for supplying a DC power source used for the microcomputer 90, the input unit 9a, the display unit 9b, and the like from a commercial power source is not shown, such a power supply unit is natural to those familiar with the technical field to which the present invention belongs. Is just a technique.

The first and second thermostats TS1 and TS2 are kinds of adjustment units according to a temperature and are mounted on or near the heater 30 to be heated by the temperature of the heater 30 or by the heater 30. In response to the temperature of the air, the on-state state is maintained before reaching the predetermined overheating temperature, and when the overheating temperature is exceeded, the state is turned off so that commercial power is not applied to the heater 30. In particular, the first thermostat TS1 does not return to the on state once it is turned off to complement the second thermostat TS2. The first and second thermostats TS1 and TS2 are mounted to the suction passage 20 connected to the heater 30, for example.

In addition, the switch SW is configured of an element such as a relay, and maintains an on state during the drying operation according to the on control of the microcomputer 90, and maintains an off state according to the off control of the microcomputer 90.

In addition, the input unit 9a receives a control command related to a drying operation from a user and applies it to the microcomputer 90.

In addition, the display unit 9b displays not only the input for the drying operation input by the user, the progress of the drying operation, the remaining time, but also the degree of blockage of the air flow path, the blocked portion, and the like. In the present specification, the air passage includes a suction passage 20, a drum 10, an exhaust passage 40, and an external exhaust duct 50, and in particular, the lint filter 41 and the external exhaust in the exhaust passage 40. It may also refer to the duct 50.

The sensing circuit 80 is connected to the nodes N1 and N2, respectively, to determine whether a current flows through the series circuit including the heater 30, that is, whether power is supplied to the heater 30. For this determination, the sensing circuit 80 is connected to the nodes N1 and N2 by the connecting lines 80a and 80b, respectively. Since the sensing circuit 80 is mounted on the control panel 9 in which the microcomputer 90 is mounted, the connecting lines 80a and 80b are formed in the inner space between the drum 10 and the cabinet body 3 or in the cabinet body 3. Proceed along the inner surface of

More specifically, the sensing circuit 80 supplies power to the heater 30 by the on / off operation of the first and second thermostats TS1 and TS2 operating according to the temperature of the heater 30 or air. Is to determine if it is supplied. Of course, the power supply to the heater 30 is also controlled by the switch SW, but since the switch SW is operated by the control of the microcomputer 90, the microcomputer 90 is in the switch SW state. In this case, the power supply state is checked according to the signal from the sensing circuit 80. When the switch SW is turned off by the microcomputer 90, the microcomputer 90 does not consider the signal applied from the sensing circuit 80.

 The sensing circuit 80 applies different signals to the microcomputer 90 according to the power supply state, so that the microcomputer 90 can check the power supply state of the heater 30. Unlike FIG. 5, the input terminal of the sensing circuit 80a may be connected between the first thermostat TS1 and a commercial power supply, and between the heater 30 and the switch SW. In a series circuit composed of the commercial power source, the first and second thermostats TS1 and TS2, the heater 30, and the switch SW, the potential difference across the heater 30 is the most depending on the supply of the commercial power source. As can be clearly identified, the sensing circuit 80 is always connected to sense the potential difference of the portion in which the heater 30 is included.

As described above, the microcomputer 90 basically controls the heater 30, the switch SW, and the motor 72 according to a user's command through the input unit 9a, and controls the motor 72. The blowing fan 43 is controlled to perform a drying operation. In addition, the microcomputer 90 has a storage unit (not shown) for storing such a control algorithm, for example, the EEPROM may be used.

The microcomputer 90 and the sensing circuit 80 are mounted on the rear of the control panel 9 described above.

In addition, the microcomputer 90 determines information on power supply and shutdown by the first and second thermostats TS1 and TS2 according to the detection signal from the sensing circuit 80.

5 is an embodiment of the sensing circuit of FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the sensing circuit 80 depressurizes the diode D1 for applying a positive voltage from the input voltage from the node N1 and the input voltage from the node N1. The resistor R1, the noise preventing diode D2 and the capacitor C1 included in the input voltage applied to the input terminals I1 and I2 of the photo coupler PC, and the photo coupler turned on / off according to the input voltage And a different voltage waveform below the reference voltage Vref, which is a DC voltage, to the microcomputer 90 when the photo coupler PC is connected to the output terminal O1 of the photo coupler PC. It consists of a resistor R2 and a capacitor C2. The reference voltage Vref is used as a driving voltage of the microcomputer 90 in the circuit in which the microcomputer 90 is provided, and a description of the voltage supply unit generating the reference voltage Vref is omitted. The generation of Vref) is a technique easily recognized by a person familiar with the technical field to which the present invention belongs.

In particular, since the potential difference between the node N1 and N2 is about 240V when the commercial power source is AC 240V, for example, the resistor R1 is a photocoupler when the voltage is directly applied to the photocoupler PC. This is to reduce the input voltage to several tens of volts since the PC may be damaged.

In addition, the photo coupler PC has a potential difference between the node N1 and N2, that is, when the first and second thermostats TS1 and TS2 are turned on so that power is supplied to the heater 30. Since the voltage corresponding to this potential difference is applied to the input terminal, and this voltage is an AC voltage, the internal photodiode emits light according to the period of this voltage, and the transistor which is a light receiving part is turned on / off, and a square wave is applied to the microcomputer 90. Is approved. If there is no potential difference between the nodes N1 and N2, that is, when the first or second thermostat TS1, TS2 is turned off so that power is not supplied to the heater 30, the input terminal of the sensing circuit 80 is turned off. Since the inside of the photodiode does not emit light, the transistor which is the light receiving part is turned off, and thus the DC voltage waveform close to the reference voltage Vref is continuously applied to the microcomputer 90.

6 and 7 are graphs of output waveforms of a sensing circuit. As shown in FIG. 6, when the first and second thermostats TS1 and TS2 are in an on state, commercial power that is AC is applied to the heater 30, so that the nodes N1 and N2 A voltage difference of a magnitude corresponding to this commercial power source is caused, and the photo coupler PC is turned on according to the voltage difference, but since the AC voltage is applied, the photo coupler PC is repeatedly turned on and off in response to the cycle of the commercial power source. The square wave smaller than the reference voltage Vref is applied to the microcomputer 90.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the first or second thermostats TS1 and TS2 are in an off state, power is not supplied to the heater 30, and the nodes N1 and N2 are coincident with each other. The photo coupler PC is always turned off, so that a DC voltage (for example, a high signal) close to the reference voltage Vref is applied to the microcomputer 90.

Accordingly, the microcomputer 90 may calculate the power cutoff time to the heater 30 due to the OFF state of the first and second thermostats TS1 and TS2 according to the waveform of the DC voltage applied thereto.

8 is an on / off graph recognized by the microcomputer. FIG. 8 is on / off graphs recognized by the microcomputer of FIG. 5. In Figure 8, R means the diameter of the exhaust duct 50, the unit of the number is inches. That is, when the diameter is R (2.0), R (2.3), R (2.625), R (2.88), R (3.0), the microcomputer ( The on / off state of the power supply state to the heater 30 recognized by 90a) is shown. The larger the diameter, the weaker the state of the air flow path (degree of blockage), and the narrower the diameter, the more severe the state of the air flow path (degree of blockage).

In order to determine the blocked state of the air flow path, a method of calculating and confirming an on / off duty ratio of a power supply is disclosed. In this embodiment, both the on duty ratio (x '/ y') and the off duty ratio (z '/ y') may be used, and only one of them may be used. The off duty ratio z '/ y' is described below.

First, the off duty ratio of R (2.0) is 0.48 (on duty ratio is 0.52), the off duty ratio of R (2.3) is 0.32 (on duty ratio is 0.68), and the off duty ratio of R (2.625) is 0.26. (The on duty ratio is 0.74), the off duty ratio of R (2.88) is 0.13 (the on duty ratio is 0.87), and the off duty ratio of R (3.0) is 0 (the on duty ratio is 1). That is, it can be seen that the off duty ratio increases as the diameter decreases. The on duty ratio is relatively increased. Accordingly, the microcomputer 90 may calculate the off duty ratio to determine the degree of blockage of the current air flow path (in particular, the blockage of the lint filter 41 or the blockage state of the external exhaust duct 50).

9 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the clogging detection apparatus of the dryer according to the present invention. The blockage detecting apparatus shown in FIG. 9 does not have a sensing means 80, unlike FIG. 4, and instead includes temperature sensors 82a and 82b for sensing the air temperature in the air flow passage, and the state of the air flow passage. It consists of a microcomputer (90a) to check.

In addition, as the temperature sensor 82a senses the temperature of the exhaust passage 40, a thermostat may be used. In particular, the temperature sensor 82a is mounted to the rear end of the lint filter 41 in the exhaust passage 40 to sense the temperature of the air passing through the lint filter 41. This is because the exhaust passage 40 and the exhaust duct 50 communicate directly with each other, so that even if the temperature sensor 82a is mounted on the exhaust passage 40 after the lint filter 41 and senses the temperature, the exhaust duct 50 You can detect the temperature closest to the temperature of). In addition, the temperature sensor 82b is provided to detect a temperature (eg, water temperature, air temperature, etc.) in the drum 10. In the following, the temperature sensors 82a and 82b may be collectively referred to as the temperature sensor 82.

The microcomputer 90a turns on / off the switch SW according to the sensed temperature from the temperature sensor 82a in order to maintain the temperature of the exhaust flow path 40 in a predetermined range (for example, 100 to 110 ° C). This controls the heat generation of the heater 30.

The situation used by the microcomputer 90a is as follows. For example, as the degree of blockage of the air flow path (particularly, the external exhaust duct 50 or the lint filter 41) increases, the air flow to the outside is not smooth, and thus the temperature of the heater 30 or the heater 30 The temperature of the air heated by) increases, affecting the first and second thermostats TS1 and TS2 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a 'temperature controller'). However, the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 82a rises relatively slowly because the air flow is not smooth. Accordingly, the microcomputer 90a checks the state of the air flow path by using the on / off control of the switch SW depending on the state of the air flow path. Here, the state of the air flow path may include both the degree of blockage and the matter of the position of the blocked portion on the air flow path. For example, when the lint filter 41 is somewhat blocked, the degree of blockage is weak, and when the external exhaust duct 50 is blocked, the degree of blockage is severe.

When the degree of blockage of the air flow path is weak, the difference in air temperature applied to the temperature controller and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 82a becomes small, so that the power is shut off by the temperature controller even if the temperature continues to rise. Before losing, the microcomputer 90a controls the switch SW to be turned off.

On the other hand, when the degree of blockage of the air flow path is severe, since the air temperature applied to the temperature control unit is significantly higher than the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 82a, the control of the switch SW by the microcomputer 90a The off operation of the thermostat is automatically performed before it is required. Therefore, the control of the switch SW by the microcomputer 90a can be performed only when a considerable time has elapsed and the air temperature of the exhaust flow path 40 is raised above a predetermined range. However, when checking the state of the air flow path during the first use of the dryer 10 or after cleaning the lint filter 41, the state (clogging state) of the exhaust duct 50 is performed.

10 are on / off graphs of a drying operation according to a temperature recognized by the microcomputer of FIG. 9. In Figure 10, R means the diameter of the exhaust duct 50, the unit of the number is inches. That is, when the diameter is R (0), R (1.0), R (1.5), R (2.0), R (2.625), the microcomputer 90a switches SW according to the sensed temperature from the temperature sensor 82a. ) On / off. The larger the diameter, the weaker the state of the air flow path (degree of blockage), and the narrower the diameter, the more severe the state of the air flow path (degree of blockage).

First, in order to confirm the state of an air flow path, the method of calculating and confirming the on / off duty ratio of a power supply is disclosed. In this embodiment, both the on duty ratio (x / y) and the off duty ratio (z / y) may be used, and only one of them may be used. Including the graph of Figure 10, the state of the air flow path according to the experimental results are shown in Table 1.

Off duty ratio Degree of blockage Blockage 0-0.30 - - 0.30-0.45 Low (weak) Lint filter 0.45-0.60 Medium Lint filter 0.60 ~ 1 Severe External exhaust duct

The microcomputer 90a stores the lookup table shown in Table 1, calculates an off duty ratio (or on duty ratio) reflecting the on / off control characteristics of the switch SW while performing a drying operation, and stores the lookup table. In comparison with the table, the blockage state (degree of blockage, blockage) of the corresponding area is checked.

In addition, the microcomputer 90a stores the state of the currently confirmed air flow path. In addition, the microcomputer 90a displays the confirmed state of the air flow path through the display portion 9b, and when the dryer is installed, can display to the user (installer) whether the installation is properly performed. That is, when the condition of the air passage is severely blocked, the microcomputer 90a prompts the user (installer) to install the dryer again or additionally penetrates the outer wall and the like so that the external exhaust duct 50 becomes wider. Can be displayed.

In addition, since the presently confirmed air flow path is influenced by a through hole formed in the outer wall or the like, the air flow path confirmed at the time of initial installation or after the cleaning of the lint filter 41 may become increasingly clogged according to the use of the dryer. Will be. Therefore, the microcomputer 90a can use this currently confirmed air flow path as one reference state or as an offset value.

First, in the case of being used as a reference state (initial blockage degree), as the microcomputer 90a repeats the drying operation, according to the user's status confirmation command or automatically checks the state of the air flow path during each drying operation, The state of the current air flow path is determined in comparison with the state of the stored air flow path.

Next, when used as an offset value, the microcomputer 90a may perform the drying operation by changing the drying algorithm to reflect the state of the current air flow path. That is, the state of the air flow path may be reflected in the control temperature, drying time, etc. of the switch SW in the drying algorithm.

It is also possible to display the determined state of the air flow path to the user. However, such display is performed after the user completes the drying operation by the dryer, thereby inducing the user to stop the drying operation and not to excessively clean the lint filter 41, and thus not to be exposed to a burn or the like. Do not

In addition, the microcomputer 90a has information on the degree of clogging of the exhaust duct 50 and the respective critical stages for the degree of clogging of the lint filter 41, so that the degree of blockage of the exhaust duct 50 or the lint filter 41 is limited. ) When the degree of blockage is greater than or equal to the threshold level, an alarm and a display corresponding thereto are made on the display unit 9b. For example, the off duty ratio 0.5 may be set as the threshold stage of the lint filter 41 and the off duty ratio 0.8 may be set as the threshold stage of the exhaust duct 50.

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating temperature change recognized by the microcomputer of FIG. 9. The graphs of FIG. 11 show that the heat generated by the heater 30 is stopped after the temperature of the heated air by the heater 30 reaches 60 ° C. in the no-load state, that is, when no clothes or the like is stored in the dryer. Then, the time falling to 40 degreeC is displayed. Here, the temperature of the heated air is the air temperature inside the suction passage 20 or inside the drum 10. In this embodiment, a temperature sensor 82b provided in the drum 10 is used.

As shown in FIG. 11, the smaller the diameter of the external exhaust duct 50 is, the slower the rate at which the temperature of the air is lowered. This is the temperature of the air is affected by the degree of flow of air through the external exhaust duct 50, the degree (eg, the speed) of such a temperature indicates the degree of the diameter of the exhaust duct 50. As described above, the diameter of the exhaust duct 50 corresponds to the state (blocking state) of the air flow path, and the state of the air flow path can be confirmed according to the degree of decrease in temperature.

The microcomputer 90a first stores the state of the air flow path and may be used as a reference state or an offset value as described above.

The microcomputers 90 and 90a store in the storage the degree of blockage of the air flow path in accordance with the above-described methods in all drying operations. Alternatively, the microcomputers 90 and 90a may store the initial clogging state, which is a reference state, and five clogging degrees determined in the most recent drying operation.

12 and 13, all of the blockage detecting apparatuses of FIGS. 4 and 9 may be applied. However, for the sake of explanation, only the embodiment of FIG. 9 is applied, and in particular, Table 1 including the on / off duty ratio of the power supply is applied. In addition, the on duty ratio is applied.

12 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of a clogging detection method of a dryer according to the present invention.

In detail, in step S71, the microcomputer 90a describes the degree of blockage for the air flow path (the term reaching both the suction flow path 20 and the exhaust flow path 40 and the external exhaust duct 50) of the dryer. Judge according to the method. Accordingly, the microcomputer 90a obtains an on duty ratio (for example, 0.70). This step S71 may be performed by the microcomputer 90a according to a unique control algorithm, or by the microcomputer 90a according to a command for confirming a blockage degree of the user's air channel input through the input unit 9a. . Moreover, this input part 9a is attached to the inside and the back of the dryer rather than the control panel 9 of the dryer, and it is also possible for the installation engineer of a dryer to operate and confirm it directly.

In step S72, the microcomputer 90a determines whether there is a pre-stored initial blockage degree. If there is an initial blockage degree, the process proceeds to step S74, otherwise, the process proceeds to step S73.

In step S73, the microcomputer 90a sets the determined degree of clogging as the initial degree of clogging and stores it in the storage unit. This initial blockage degree becomes a reference state as described above. This initial blockage degree means only the blockage degree of the external exhaust duct 50 if it is determined that the dryer has not performed the drying operation at all or the lint filter 41 is cleaned.

In step S74, the microcomputer 90a calculates a difference value between the previously stored degree of clogging and the currently determined degree of blocking. Step S75 is to confirm the degree of blockage of the air passage having the initial blockage becomes more severe as the drying operation is performed. When the dryer is installed in another place, a reset of the initial blockage is required. It is also because.

In step S75, the microcomputer 90a determines whether the difference value calculated in step S74 corresponds to the initial difference value reference. This initial difference value criterion determines the degree to which the dryer is installed in a new place or the clogging state of the exhaust duct 50 is advanced. As the dryer performs the drying operation, the degree of clogging becomes severe, and suddenly, the degree of clogging suddenly becomes even more severe (deterioration of the state of the exhaust duct 50 at the current place, or deterioration of the state of the exhaust duct 50 due to abnormalities), Step S75 is required to update the initial blockage degree even in the case of further improvement (state change of exhaust duct 50 by moving or repairing). For example, when the on-duty ratio of the initial blockage degree is 0.7, and when the determined blockage degree is 0.8, when the initial difference value criterion is set to 4% of the initial blockage degree, the initial difference value criterion is 0.7 ± 0.028. Therefore, in this case, since it does not correspond to an initial difference value criterion, it progresses to step S76. On the other hand, if the determined degree of blockage is 0.697, the process proceeds to step S77 corresponding to the illustrated initial difference value criteria. In addition, this initial difference value criterion corresponds to a minimum criterion that can be affected by the state of the exhaust duct 50. Even if the degree of clogging of the lint filter 41 is the highest, it is determined within this initial difference value criterion. Affects the degree of blockage

In step S76, the microcomputer 90a stores the determined blockage degree as a new initial blockage rate in the storage unit and updates it. In step S76, the microcomputer 90a may further determine whether the stored initial blockage corresponds to the blockage of the exhaust duct 50 according to Table 1. In addition, since the difference value in step S74 represents the degree of clogging further progressed to the exhaust duct 50, when the determined degree of clogging decreases more rapidly than the initial degree of clogging, the degree of clogging progress of the exhaust duct 50 is serious. It means. At this time, the microcomputer 90a may delete all the blockage except for the newly stored initial blockage.

In step S77, the microcomputer 90a calculates a difference value between the most recently stored blockage degree and the determined blockage degree. For example, when the last stored blockage degree is 0.698 and the currently determined blockage degree is 0.697, the difference value is 0.01. This difference value corresponds to the degree of blockage generated in the lint filter 41 while the degree of blockage in the air flow path becomes more severe. That is, since the degree of clogging of the lint filter 41 gradually increases, and the degree of clogging of the exhaust duct 50 increases rapidly, it is the influence of the lint filter 41 that gradually increases the degree of clogging of the entire air flow path. What gets worse is the effect of the exhaust duct.

In step S78, the microcomputer 90a may display the difference value on the display unit 9b to indicate that the degree of clogging of the lint filter 41 is increasing.

In step S79, the microcomputer 90a stores the determined degree of blockage in the storage unit. At this time, except for the initial blockage, if more than five blocks can be deleted previously determined the longest. In addition, the microcomputer 90a stores the difference value at the degree of clogging of the lint filter 41.

In step S80, the microcomputer 90a displays the initial blockage degree on the display portion 9b. When proceeding from step S73 and step S76, this initial blockage degree may be expressed as a blockage degree or a blockage part, as Table 1 shows.

According to the above-described steps S72 and S73 and steps S72, S74, S75 and S76, the degree of blockage or progression of the exhaust duct is confirmed, and the steps S72, S74, S75 and S77 are confirmed. The degree of clogging or the degree of clogging of the lint filter 41 is confirmed by this. Therefore, the microcomputer 90a can display the clogging degree of each of the exhaust duct and the lint filter 41 at the same time or alternately and display it on the display unit 9b.

In steps S77 and S78, when the microcomputer 90a has the initial blockage degree and the first determined blockage degree, the difference between the initial blockage degree and the determined blockage degree determines the blockage degree of the lint filter 41. It is judged to indicate. Subsequently, when the microcomputer 90a obtains the second determined blockage degree, the difference between the first blockage degree and the second blockage degree corresponds to the blockage degree further advanced in the lint filter 41. In this way, the microcomputer 90a confirms the degree of blockage of the lint filter 41 at each difference value, and the accumulated value of the difference value indicates the degree of blockage of the current lint filter 41.

In the above-described flow chart, the microcomputer 90a can be identified by discriminating the degree of blockage or progression of the exhaust duct 50 from the degree of blockage or degree of blockage of the lint filter 41.

13 is a flow chart of a second embodiment of the clogging detection method of the dryer according to the present invention.

Step S91 is the same as step S71 of Fig. 12 described above.

In step S92, the microcomputer 90a determines whether the determined degree of blockage corresponds to the blockage criterion of the exhaust duct 50. The degree of clogging of the exhaust duct 50 according to Table 1 is determined as the blockage of the exhaust duct 50 when the on duty ratio is 0.4 or less. Therefore, if the determined degree of blockage corresponds to this degree of blockage criterion, the flow advances to step S93, and otherwise, to step S94.

In step S93, the microcomputer 90a determines that the current exhaust duct 50 is blocked, and displays the blockage of the exhaust duct 50 on the display portion 9b.

In step S94, the microcomputer 90a calculates a difference value between the initial blockage degree and the determined blockage degree. For example, when the on-duty ratio of the initial blockage degree is 0.7 and the determined blockage degree is 0.67, the difference value is 0.03. Or when the determined degree of blockage is 0.61, the difference is 0.09.

In step S95, the microcomputer 90a determines whether the calculated difference value corresponds to the clogging criterion of the lint filter 41. For example, when the difference value of the lint filter 41 is set to 0.07 or more, the difference value of 0.03 calculated in step S94 does not correspond to the standard, and the flow proceeds to step S97. Instead, the difference value of 0.09 calculated in step S94 corresponds to the reference and proceeds to step S96.

In step S96, the microcomputer 90a determines that the lint filter 41 is blocked, and displays the blocked state of the lint filter 41 through the display portion 9b.

In step S97, the microcomputer 90a stores the determined degree of blockage in the storage unit. At this time, the microcomputer 90a may display on the display unit 9b that the air flow path is in a normal state.

13 described above may notify the user that the exhaust duct is blocked or the lint filter is blocked or in a normal state according to the determined degree of clogging.

14 to 16 show examples of a clogging detection method according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 14, the microcomputer 90a compares the degree of clogging determined with Table 1 to determine the degree of blockage (the state where the lint filter 41 is blocked) and the blocked portion on the display portion 9b in figures and letters. Can also be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 15, the display unit 9b may display the degree of blockage using a bar graph and text, and may display the blocked portion in text.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the display unit 9b may display the blockage degree (off duty ratio) as a number using% and the blockage part as a letter. This degree of blockage can be expressed as a percentage of the off duty ratio multiplied by 100. That is, when the off-duty ratio of the air flow path is 0.7, it corresponds to a state in which the exhaust duct 50 is blocked in a 70% blocked state.

In addition, the display unit 9b may notify the user of the degree of blockage and the blocked portion through voice or alarm.

17 to 20 are other embodiments according to the clogging detection method according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 17, the microcomputer 90a displays the degree of clogging of the exhaust duct 50, which is the initial degree of clogging set in accordance with step S73, and at the same time or alternately, the clogging state or degree of the lint filter 41. Can be displayed. 17 is a state in which the dryer is first connected to the external exhaust duct 50 and a process according to the clogging detection method is performed, and the degree of clogging is not confirmed at all on the lint filter 41.

FIG. 18 shows that the degree of clogging of the exhaust duct 50 is drastically compared with that of FIG. 17 in the step S76 or in the step S92, depending on the performance of the drying operation or the blockage of the moving or exhaust duct 50. It is a serious condition. In FIG. 18, when the exhaust duct state reaches ◀, the microcomputer 90a determines that the degree of clogging of the current exhaust duct 50 has reached a critical stage, and thus the exhaust duct 50 is blocked through the display unit 9b. Display a warning message (or cleaning message) visually or audibly. For example, the display of the exhaust duct state flashes to attract the user's attention.

19 is a state in which the degree of clogging in the lint filter 41 becomes more serious as compared with FIG. 17 as the drying operation is performed. In addition, when the blocked state of the lint filter 41 reaches ◀, the microcomputer 90a determines that the degree of blockage of the current lint filter 41 has reached the critical stage, and thus the display unit 9b. Through the warning message (or cleaning message) for clogging of the lint filter 41 is visually or audibly displayed. For example, the display of the lint filter state flashes to attract the user's attention.

FIG. 20 shows changes in the environment due to cleaning and moving of the exhaust duct 50 and cleaning of the lint filter 41 in the state of FIG. 19.

The present invention of such a configuration can be more accurately determine the degree of blockage of the air flow path, there is an effect that can be easily handled by users and technicians.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of being able to display and provide the current state of the air flow path to the user by checking the information on the blocked portion along with the degree of blockage of the air flow path.

In addition, the present invention provides the clogging information of the air flow path in response to environmental changes such as performing a drying operation or moving and cleaning, thereby always checking the current air flow state to the user.

In addition, the present invention enables to confirm and display the clogging information of the air flow path according to the user's command, there is an effect that the user can use the confirmation service for the degree of clogging for the air flow more convenient.

Claims (33)

 Determination unit for determining the degree of blockage of the air flow path; Clogging detection device of the dryer, characterized in that consisting of a display unit for displaying the degree of clogging in a plurality of steps to the user. delete The method of claim 1, The display unit is clogging detection device of the dryer, characterized in that for displaying a warning message when the degree of clogging is more than the threshold degree. The method according to claim 1 or 3, The display unit is clogging detection device of the dryer, characterized in that for visually or acoustically displaying the degree of blockage. The method of claim 1, And the display unit displays the blockage of the lint filter and the blockage of the exhaust duct. The method of claim 1, The display unit is clogging detection device of the dryer, characterized in that for displaying the degree of clogging by using one or more of letters, figures, numbers, graphs. The method of claim 1, The clogging detection device is a clogging detection device of the dryer, characterized in that it comprises an input unit to start the determination operation of the determination unit in accordance with a determination command from the user. The method of claim 1, The blockage detecting device is a blockage detecting device of the dryer, characterized in that having a storage unit for storing the degree of blockage of the air flow path. The method of claim 1, The blockage detecting device is a blockage detecting device for a dryer, characterized in that it comprises an operation unit for performing a drying operation for the air flow path, and a stopper for stopping the drying operation by the operating unit. The method of claim 9, The interrupting unit cuts off power supply to the operation unit, and the determination unit detects the on / off of the drying operation by the interrupting unit, and the on / off of the drying operation detected by the detecting unit. Clogging detection device of the dryer, characterized in that consisting of a control unit for determining the degree of blockage of the air flow path. The method of claim 10, The clogging detection device is a clogging detection device of the dryer, characterized in that it comprises a connection line for connecting the detection unit and the operation unit or the interruption. The method of claim 10, And the control unit calculates an on / off duty ratio of the drying operation by the stop unit to check a degree of blockage of the air flow path. The method of claim 1, The blockage detecting device further includes a comparison unit comparing the determined degree of blockage with a degree of blockage of a pre-stored air flow path, wherein the display unit displays the comparison result. The method of claim 13, The blockage detecting apparatus sets the determined blockage degree to an initial blockage degree when the difference between the determined blockage degree and the initial blockage degree among the previously stored blockage levels is out of an initial difference value reference range according to a result of the comparing unit. Clogging detection device of the dryer, characterized in that it comprises an initial state setting unit. The method of claim 1, The blockage detecting device is a blockage detecting device of the dryer, characterized in that it comprises an initial state setting unit for setting the determined degree of blockage to the initial blockage. The method according to claim 14 or 15, The initial blockage is a blockage detection device of the dryer, characterized in that the blockage of the exhaust duct. The method of claim 13, The clogging detecting device includes a setting unit for setting a result of the blockage between the determined blockage by the comparator and the blockage level last stored in the lint filter. Device. The method of claim 1, The blockage detecting device may further include a first comparison unit comparing the determined degree of blockage with a blockage criterion of the exhaust duct, and a difference value between the prestored degree of blockage and the level of blockage and the blockage criterion of the lint filter. 2. A clogging detection device for a dryer, comprising: a comparison unit. The method of claim 18, The clogging detecting apparatus includes a display unit which displays a blockage of the exhaust duct or a blockage of a lint filter according to a comparison result of the first comparing unit or the second comparing unit. An input unit for obtaining a request for determining a degree of blockage of an air flow path from a user; And a display unit which displays a degree of blockage of the air flow path in response to the determination request. The method of claim 20, And the display unit visually or audibly displays the degree of blockage. The method of claim 20, And the display unit displays the degree of clogging in a plurality of stages. The method of claim 22, And the display unit displays a warning message when the degree of clogging corresponds to a threshold or more. The method of claim 20, And the display unit displays the degree of blockage of the lint filter and the degree of blockage of the exhaust duct. Determining a degree of blockage of the air passage; When the initial blockage degree is previously stored, comparing the determined blockage degree with the initial blockage degree, and the difference between the determined blockage degree and the initial blockage degree is out of the initial difference value reference range as a result of the comparison. A first storage step of storing the determined degree of blockage as a new initial degree of blockage; And a second storage step of storing the determined degree of clogging as the initial degree of clogging when the initial degree of clogging is not stored. The method of claim 25, The clogging detection method is a clogging detection method of the dryer, characterized in that it comprises the step of displaying the initial blockage. The method of claim 25, The clogging degree of the initial clogging is a degree of clogging of the exhaust duct, the difference value is clogging detection method of the dryer, characterized in that the clogging progress of the exhaust duct. The method of claim 25, The clogging detection method includes a third storing step of storing the determined degree of blockage when the difference between the determined degree of blockage and the initial level of blockage corresponds to an initial difference value reference range as a result of the comparison. How to detect clogging in the dryer. The method of claim 25, The clogging detection method includes displaying the difference value when the difference between the determined degree of blockage and the initial level of blockage corresponds to an initial difference value reference range as a result of the comparison. The method of claim 29, The difference value is the degree of clogging progress of the lint filter, the accumulation of the difference value is clogging of the lint filter, characterized in that clogging detection method of the dryer. Determining a degree of blockage of the air passage; Comparing the degree of blockage with a blockage criterion of pre-stored exhaust ducts; In the comparing step, if the degree of clogging corresponds to the clogging criterion of the exhaust duct, indicating the clogging of the exhaust duct, comprising the clogging detection method of the dryer. The method of claim 31, wherein In the clogging detection method, in the comparing step, when the degree of blockage is outside the blockage criterion of the exhaust duct, a second difference value between the determined degree of blockage and the last stored blockage degree is compared with a blockage criterion of the lint filter. And detecting the blockage of the lint filter when the difference value corresponds to a blockage criterion of the lint filter in the comparing step and the second comparison step. 33. The method of claim 32, The clogging detecting method includes storing the determined degree of clogging when the difference value is outside the clogging criteria of the lint filter in the second comparing step.

Images