KR100830513B1 - Laundry dryer and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A dryer and a method for controlling the same are provided to prevent lint and damage to laundry caused by friction with a drum by drying laundry in a state that laundry is hung in a cabinet. A dryer comprises a cabinet(2), a heating unit, a steam generator(60), and a plasma generating unit(500). The heating unit is composed of a low temperature bubble generating unit, and a heat pump(40). The heating unit heats air lower than 100°C and supplies heated air into the cabinet. The steam generating unit generates steam and supplies steam to the cabinet. The plasma generating unit changes steam into plasma state.

Description

Dryer and control method for the same

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a dryer according to the present invention

Figure 2 is for explaining the principle of the dryer according to the present invention, a schematic diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

3 is a view schematically showing an example of the plasma generating device of FIG.

4 is a view schematically showing another example of the plasma generating device of FIG.

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

2: cabinet 20: machine room

40: heat pump 42: compressor

44 condenser 46 expansion mechanism

48: evaporator 50: fan

60: steam generator 70: pump

80: water supply source 90: ironing unit

500: plasma generator 520, 530: electrode

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dryer and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a dryer and a control method thereof capable of effectively drying a dry item such as clothing.

A general dryer is a home appliance that normally drys laundry, that is, a dry item, using hot air. In general, a dryer includes a drying tank (usually called a drum) for accommodating a dry object, a driving source for rotating the drum, heating means for heating the air flowing into the drum to create hot air, and sucking the air inside the drum. Or a blower unit for discharging or discharging.

 The dryer may be classified into an electric dryer and a gas dryer according to a method of heating air, that is, a heating means. The electric dryer heats air using electric resistance heat generated by the electric heater, and the gas dryer heats air by using heat generated by combustion of gas generated in the gas burner.

If the dryers are divided in different ways, they can be classified into condensing (circulating) dryers and exhaust dryers. In the condenser dryer, the air that has been heat-exchanged with the dry matter in the drum is circulated without being discharged to the outside of the dryer, and in a separate condenser, heat is exchanged with the outside air to make condensate and discharged to the outside. In the exhaust dryer, the air, which has been heat exchanged with the dry matter in the drum and becomes humid, is discharged directly to the outside of the dryer.

If the dryer is classified into another method, it may be divided into a top loading method and a front loading method according to a method of inputting a dry matter to the dryer. In the top loading method, the dry material is introduced from the upper side of the dryer. In the front loading method, the dry material is injected from the front of the dryer.

In the above-mentioned conventional dryer, air is heated to 100 degreeC or more normally by a gas burner or an electric heater, and heated hot air is supplied to a drum. As the drum rotates, the dry item and the hot air exchanged in the drum are heat exchanged to dry the dry item.

However, the above-described conventional dryer has the following problems.

First, in a conventional dryer, high temperature air heated at 100 ° C. or more in a gas burner or an electric heater is heat-exchanged with the dry object. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that damage to the clothing by the hot air of more than 100 ℃ can occur.

Second, in the conventional dryer, the drying tank, that is, the drum, rotates (tumbles) in the drying process. Accordingly, damage to the garment may occur due to the friction between the drum and the garment, and the friction between the garment and the garment, and thus, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to use sensitive garments such as knitwear, shirts, and functional fine clothes. In addition, the lint (lint) is generated a lot by this friction, there is a disadvantage that the structure is complicated by using a lint filter for filtering the lint.

Third, the gas dryer requires the construction of a separate pipe, and the electric dryer has a disadvantage in that excessive energy is used according to the operation of the electric heater.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dryer and its control method with improved performance.

Another object of the present invention to provide a dryer and a control method thereof that can prevent damage to clothes.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cabinet including a cabinet; Heating means for heating and supplying air to the cabinet to dry the object to be dried; A steam generator for generating steam for supplying the cabinet; It provides a dryer including a plasma generating device for making the steam generated in the steam generator into a plasma state.

The plasma generating apparatus preferably includes a grounded electrode and a plate-shaped electrode connected to a relative high voltage power supply. In addition, the plasma generating apparatus preferably includes a grounded, ring-shaped electrode, and a needle-type electrode electrically connected to a relatively high voltage power supply. In addition, the plasma generating apparatus preferably includes a receiving portion for receiving the electrodes.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a steam generating step of generating steam for supplying a cabinet containing a dry object; It provides a control method of a dryer comprising a plasma generating step of making the steam into a plasma state.

According to the present invention described above, it is possible to effectively prevent the damage to the clothes, to effectively prevent the occurrence of wrinkles on the dried product to be dried, it is possible to improve the performance of the dryer.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be described a preferred embodiment of the dryer and its control method according to the present invention.

The dryer according to the present invention comprises a cabinet 2 constituting the exterior of the dryer and accommodating dry items such as clothes, and air having a relatively low temperature relative to the cabinet 2 (hereinafter referred to as " relatively cold air " for convenience). It comprises a low temperature air generating means 40 (see Fig. 2) to make. Unexplained reference numeral 3 is a door.

In a conventional dryer, the air is usually heated to 100 ° C. or higher in a gas burner or an electric heater, but there is a problem that clothing is damaged as described above. Therefore, in the present invention, heating is performed at a temperature lower than 100 DEG C at a relatively low temperature, more preferably about 50-75 DEG C, compared with a conventional dryer. In other words, the relative low temperature air in the present invention does not mean that the air is a low temperature, the temperature is relatively high, but it is relatively low compared to the high temperature air generated in the conventional dryer.

Moreover, although a drying tank (drum) rotates in the conventional dryer, in the present invention, clothes are accommodated in the cabinet 2 fixed state. It is preferable that the inside of the cabinet 2 is provided with a supporting member 5 on which a hanger 7 for hanging the garment 9 is supported. Therefore, in the present invention, friction between the cabinet / clothing and the clothing / clothing does not occur when the garment 9 is dried.

On the other hand, the low temperature air generating means may use a gas burner or an electric heater, but it is preferable to use a heat pump. This is because a complicated temperature control is required in the case of a gas type using a gas burner and an electric type using an electric heater.

In addition, in the gas type, the air required for the combustion of the gas must be continuously supplied from the outside and the air burned to the outside must be discharged. Therefore, if the gas type is configured in the circulation type, since normal combustion cannot be continued due to lack of oxygen, it must be configured as an external exhaust type. By the way, when the external exhaust type is configured, an exhaust duct or the like is necessary and complicated.

In the case of the electric type it can be configured as a circulation type, but a separate dehumidifier is required. In general, since an air-cooled heat exchanger is used as a dehumidifier, a fan and a duct for supplying external air into the dryer and exhausting the heat-exchanged air to the outside are complicated. Also, in terms of energy, the electric heater uses power corresponding to the required heat amount because the power factor is 1, but the heat pump uses only one third of the heat amount required for the coefficient of performance (COP). More efficient than electric heater

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1, it is preferable that the ironing unit 90 is provided inside the cabinet (2). The ironing unit 90 may be installed outside the cabinet 2.

Referring to Figure 2, when described in detail the dryer using a heat pump to make the relative low-temperature air as follows.

The heat pump 40 is installed at a predetermined position of the cabinet 2. Since the principle and structure of the hip pump including the compressor 42, the condenser 44, the expansion mechanism 46 and the evaporator 48 is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Although the installation position of the heat pump 40 is not limited, it is preferable to provide the machine room 20 in the lower back of the cabinet 2, and to install the heat pump 40 in the machine room 20. The machine chamber 20 is divided into a first chamber 22, a second chamber 24, and a third chamber 26, and the compressor 42 and the expansion mechanism 46 are installed in the first chamber 22. The condenser 44 and the evaporator 48 are preferably installed in the second chamber 24. In addition, it is preferable that the steam generator 60, which is a component of the water spraying means described later, is installed in the first chamber 22, and the water supply source 80 and the pump 70 are installed in the third chamber 26. .

On the other hand, the front end of the second chamber (24) is provided with an inlet port 34 in communication with the cabinet (2), the rear end of the second chamber (24) is a heat exchange in the condenser 44 of the heat pump (40) It is communicated to the flow path 30 to supply the relatively low-temperature air is made to the cabinet (2). Of course, it is preferable that a fan 50 or a blower is provided at a predetermined position of the flow path 30, and a plurality of exhaust ports 32 communicating with the inside of the cabinet 2 at a predetermined position at the rear end of the flow path 30. It is preferable that is provided. The flow path 30 is preferably formed through the rear and side wall walls of the cabinet 2.

On the other hand, air (hereinafter, for convenience, " heat exchange air ") that has been heat-exchanged with clothes in the cabinet 2 and is in a low-temperature / humidity state is introduced into the second chamber 24 through the inlet port 34 to exchange heat in the condenser 44 It becomes the low temperature air of 50 degreeC or more high temperature and humidity again, and the said low temperature air is supplied to the cabinet 2 again via the flow path 30. As shown in FIG. That is, although the heat exchange air may be immediately discharged to the outside, it is preferable to circulate the cabinet 2 and the heat pump 40. At this time, since the air flowing into the inlet 34 is a humid state in which the clothes 2 exchange heat with the clothes to absorb the moisture of the clothes, it is preferable to send the water to the condenser 44 to remove the water rather than heating it again. It is also possible to use a separate dehumidifier, but it is convenient to dehumidify using the evaporator 48 of the heat pump 40. That is, the evaporator 48 of the heat pump 40 is disposed near the inlet 34 so that the heat contained in the heat exchange air is condensed on the surface of the evaporator 48 while the heat exchange air passes through the evaporator 48. It is desirable to allow dehumidification. Although the condensed water condensed in the evaporator 48 may be collected using a separate condensate bottle, it is preferable to use the water supply source 80 of the water spray means described later as a condensate bottle.

On the other hand, it is preferable that the dryer according to the present invention is further provided with water spraying means for supplying moisture to the cabinet 2 in the form of fine particles. Here, the water spray means is to atomize the water and to supply the clothes (9) housed in the cabinet (2). For example, the water spray means may be a steam generator for heating water to make steam, or may be a device for making water into fine particles using an ultrasonic vibrator or a pressurized spray. Hereinafter, collectively referred to as water spraying means. Hereinafter, a steam generator will be described as an example for the purpose of water injection.

The reason for using the water injection means is as follows. In general, laundry is dehydrated and the laundry is dehydrated is put into the dryer to dry. However, due to the principle of water washing, wrinkles are generated in the laundry in which the water washing is completed, and the generated wrinkles are not completely removed in the conventional drying process in the dryer. According to the research of the present inventors, when the clothes were supplied with moisture during drying of the clothes, wrinkles could be effectively removed. In addition, wrinkles, wrinkles, folds, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as "wrinkles") are generated even when clothes and the like are normally stored and used in addition to laundry after washing. It is possible to remove the wrinkles according to the normal use and storage of such clothes, such as drying, while supplying the clothes with moisture in the dryer. Supplying moisture to the garment during drying, as well as removing wrinkles had an effect such as antistatic, deodorant.

On the other hand, the water spraying means includes a water supply source 80, and a steam generator 60 for heating the water supplied from the water supply source 80 to steam. It is preferable that a pump 70 is installed between the water supply source 80 and the steam generator 60. The water supply source 80 may be an external faucet or the like, but it is preferable to use a water tank such as a removable water tank.

On the other hand, as described above, the water supply source 80 and the pump 70 is provided in the third chamber 26 of the machine room 20, the steam generator 60 is preferably provided in the first chamber (22). Do. A steam flow path 62 is connected to the steam generator 60, and the steam flow path 62 is provided with a plurality of injection holes 61 communicating with the cabinet 2. And, the water supply source 80 is installed adjacent to the evaporator 48 of the heat pump 40, it is preferable to receive the condensed water condensed on the surface of the evaporator 48 from the water supply source 80 to use. In this configuration, the condensate container receiving the condensate condensed by the evaporator 48 and the water supply source 80 can be used as one, thereby simplifying the structure.

On the other hand, the plasma generator 500 for making the steam generated in the steam generator 60 into the plasma state is further provided, it is preferable that the steam in the plasma state is supplied to the cabinet (2). The plasma generating apparatus 500 is preferably installed at a predetermined position of the steam flow path 62 through which the steam flows.

 The plasma generating apparatus 500 is an apparatus that causes an electric discharge to steam using the electrode. By using the plasma generating apparatus 500, it is possible to make steam into a plasma state and present it as a radical (reactive gas). When steam is supplied to the cabinet 2 in the form of radicals, effects such as deodorization, sterilization and dust removal can be obtained.

3 and 4, an example of the plasma generating apparatus 500 will be described.

3 shows a plate-shaped ceramic electrode. The grounded 522 electrode 520 is preferably provided in the ceramic plate 510. In addition, a high voltage electrode 530 is connected to the relative high voltage power supply 532, and the high voltage electrode 530 is preferably provided in a plate shape. In the high voltage power supply 532, it is preferable to supply power in the form of a pulse.

4 illustrates an electrode of a needle-ring type. The grounded 522 electrode 520 preferably has a ring shape, and the high voltage electrode 530 electrically connected to the relative high voltage power source 532 is preferably needle-shaped. The needle type electrode 530 may be a metal needle electrode, and the ring type electrode 520 may be a thin polymer insulated metal ring electrode. In addition, the electrodes 520 and 530 may be located in the accommodation portion 510a having a suitable shape.

Referring to the operation of the plasma generating apparatus 500 according to the present invention.

The steam generated by the steam generator 60 passes through the plasma generator 500 and becomes a plasma state and is supplied to the cabinet 2 in the form of radicals, thereby deodorizing, sterilizing, and removing dust. In detail, the steam present as radicals in the cabinet 2 will react with odor products such as tobacco smoke. That is, the odor product adheres to the steam in radical form so that the odor is removed. In addition, the steam in the form of radicals is attached to the surface of the bacteria by the electrostatic force to kill the bacteria by absorbing some elements of the protein of the bacteria, such as H3N-, HOOC- and the like. In addition, the dust particles are attached to the steam existing as a radical by the electrostatic force to remove the dust.

On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, the cabinet 2 for accommodating the object to be dried does not rotate, and to use the low temperature air generating means as a heating means for heating the air to dry the object to produce hot air. Shown and described. However, the application of the plasma generating apparatus 500 according to the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the plasma generating apparatus 500 according to the present invention uses a conventional dryer, that is, a rotating drum, and may be used in a dryer for supplying relatively high temperature air to the drum.

Referring to Figure 2, a dryer and a control method according to the present invention will be described.

Into the cabinet 2, a dry object, for example, dehydrated laundry or a garment which has been worn for a while, is put into operation and the dryer is operated. At this time, the clothing 9 is accommodated in the cabinet 2 in a fixed state using the hanger 7 or the like. When the dryer operates, the steam generator 60 is operated. That is, a heater (not shown) of the steam generator 60 is operated to generate water by heating water, and the generated steam is injected into the cabinet 2 through the steam flow path 62 and the injection hole 61. . Normally, steam is not generated immediately after the heater is operated, and steam is generated after a predetermined time, and the amount of steam increases as time passes. If moisture is sufficiently absorbed in the dry item, the operation of the steam generator 60 is stopped. At this stage, the heat pump 40 is preferably not operated.

Next, the heat pump 40 and the fan 50 operate. That is, the air is heat exchanged in the condenser 44 and heated. As described above, the air heated in the condenser is relatively low temperature air, which is relatively low temperature compared with the conventional dryer. The relatively low temperature air is supplied to the cabinet 2 through the flow path 30 and the exhaust port 32, and the clothes 9 are dried by heat exchange with the clothes 9 inside the cabinet 2, and the relatively low temperature air is high humidity. It becomes air of low temperature (heat exchange air). The heat exchange air flows in through the intake port 34, condenses while passing through the evaporator 48, becomes a low humidity state, becomes high temperature again in the condenser 44, and is supplied to the cabinet 2. At this time, the condensed water generated in the evaporator 48 is recovered to the water supply source 80, and is supplied to the steam generator 60 by the pump.

In the present invention, since the garment 9 is dried in a fixed state, damage to the garment due to friction is prevented and the occurrence of lint is prevented. In addition, since the clothing 9 is dried by the relatively low temperature air, damage to the clothing due to high temperature can be prevented.

In the present invention, the steam generated by the steam generator passes through the plasma generating apparatus 500 and becomes a plasma state, and is supplied to the cabinet in the form of radicals to exhibit deodorization, sterilization, and dust removal performance.

Referring to the effect of the dryer and the control method according to the invention described above are as follows.

First, according to the present invention, clothes and the like are dried using heating air having a relatively low temperature as compared to a conventional dryer. Therefore, there is an advantage that the damage of the clothing due to the high temperature that can occur in the conventional dryer can be prevented.

Second, since the clothing is dried in a fixed state in the cabinet, there is an advantage that it is possible to prevent the damage of the clothing that may be caused by the friction of the drum and the clothing, the friction of the clothing and clothing. Therefore, it is possible to dry sensitive garments such as knits, shirts, functional high-quality clothes, etc., and to prevent the occurrence of lint caused by friction.

Third, according to the present invention, since the pipe used in the gas dryer is unnecessary, the structure is simple, and there is an advantage that energy is saved as compared with the electric heater used in the electric dryer.

Fourth, according to the present invention, there is an advantage that can effectively prevent or eliminate the occurrence of wrinkles or wrinkles in the dried product to be dried. Moreover, according to this invention, there also exists an advantage that sterilization and smell removal of a to-be-dried thing can be performed. According to the present invention, there is an advantage that wrinkles or wrinkles in the clothes in a dry state can be effectively removed without additional ironing.

Fifth, according to the present invention, by passing the steam generated in the steam generator through the plasma generating device to supply the cabinet in the form of radicals, there is an advantage that the deodorization, sterilization, dust removal performance is improved.

Claims (9)

A cabinet for receiving the dried object; Heating means for heating and supplying air to the cabinet to dry the object to be dried; A steam generator for generating steam for supplying the cabinet; And a plasma generator for converting the steam generated by the steam generator into a plasma state. The dryer of claim 1, wherein the plasma generator comprises a grounded electrode and a plate-shaped electrode connected to a high voltage power supply. The dryer of claim 1, wherein the plasma generator comprises a grounded, ring-shaped electrode, and a needle-type electrode electrically connected to a high voltage power supply. 4. The dryer of claim 2 or 3, wherein the plasma generating apparatus includes a receiving portion for receiving the electrodes. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein the heating means is a low temperature air generating means for heating air to a temperature of less than 100 ° C. 6. The dryer of claim 5, wherein the heating means is a low temperature air generating means for heating air at 50 ° C to 75 ° C. The dryer according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the heating means is a heat pump. The dryer of claim 1, wherein the cabinet accommodates the dry item in a fixed state. A steam generating step of generating steam for supplying to a cabinet containing a dry object; And a plasma generating step of making the steam into a plasma state.

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