KR20070053047A - Sterilizable drying machine using ultraviolet radiation - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is provided with a case having an inlet through which the laundry is completed, the laundry is put on the front surface, a drum which is supported by the front supporter inside the inlet of the case so as to be rotatable inside the case is dried and installed in the front supporter And an ultraviolet light source for irradiating ultraviolet rays to sterilize the inside of the drum, and a control means connected to the ultraviolet light source to control the generation of ultraviolet rays.

Dryer, case, drum, front supporter, ultraviolet light source, transmission plate, housing body, housing cover

Description

UV sterilization dryer {STERILIZABLE DRYING MACHINE USING ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION}

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a dryer according to the present invention;

2 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an ultraviolet light source according to the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a sterilization control method of the dryer according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

11: center cabinet 12: base cover

13: top cover 14: front frame

15: door frame 16: back frame

20 Drum 21 Lifter

22: front supporter 23: rear supporter

31: heater 32: hot air supply duct

33: fan 34: exhaust duct

40: UV lamp assembly 42: UV lamp

44 housing body 46 transmission plate

48: housing cover H: seating hole

S: sealing member

The present invention relates to an ultraviolet sterilizing dryer, and more particularly, to an ultraviolet sterilizing dryer which irradiates ultraviolet rays into a drum to effect sterilization.

In general, a dryer is rotatably installed with a drum into which a laundry after washing is completed, and is dried by blowing hot air into the drum and discharging the wet steam to the outside or condensing moisture from the wet steam. To lose.

Usually, the laundry which has been washed is put into the drum. Since the laundry is washed with detergent by using tap water as washing water in a washing machine or the like, insoluble metal soap produced by reaction of calcium in the tap water and surfactant of the detergent May remain.

As described above, the metal soap remaining in the laundry absorbs moisture by adhering to the fiber debris or dirt separated from the laundry, thus causing the growth of microorganisms, generating planar precipitates causing decay, and furthermore, generating mold. There is a hygienic problem such as generating an odor.

In addition, since laundry is easily attached to the human body and many bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Cereus bacilli, and atypical anti-acid bacteria are attached to the human body, the laundry remains attached to the laundry. If is poor, the remaining bacteria are breeding to produce an odor or discoloration.

Furthermore, the laundry in which the above bacteria remain, when worn by the sick or young, infants, and the like with weak immunity, has a problem of threatening health, such as a skin infection.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ultraviolet sterilization dryer to be sterilized by irradiating ultraviolet rays to laundry under certain conditions while the drying process in the drum.

The present invention has a case formed with an inlet through which the laundry is completed, the laundry is put on the front, a drum supported by the front supporter inside the inlet of the case is installed to be rotatable inside the case and dried, and the front supporter It is provided with an ultraviolet sterilization dryer, characterized in that it comprises an ultraviolet light source for irradiating ultraviolet rays to sterilize the drum interior, and a control means connected to the ultraviolet light source to control the generation of ultraviolet light.

In another aspect, the present invention is the case is formed in the front of the laundry is inserted into the laundry is inserted into the front, the front of the inside of the inlet of the case is supported by the front supporter is installed to be rotatable inside the case is dried and the front supporter It is provided with a UV filter sterilization dryer, characterized in that it comprises a filter assembly for removing the foreign matter contained in the wet steam, and an ultraviolet light source installed on the filter assembly to sterilize the drum by irradiating ultraviolet light.

In a dryer using a rotating drum, it is not easy to secure a space for installing the ultraviolet light source in a position not affected by the rotation of the drum, and the present invention solves this difficulty by installing the ultraviolet light source in the front supporter or the filter assembly. It's about things.

Various forms, for example, an ultraviolet lamp or an ultraviolet light emitting diode, may be used as the ultraviolet light source, and any type may be used as long as the ultraviolet light source is sterilizable. However, ultraviolet rays can be divided into A (300-400 nm), B (280-320 nm), and C (180-280 nm) depending on the wavelength, and ultraviolet rays in the C (180-280 nm) region kill microorganisms. It is known to have an effect, and accordingly, the ultraviolet light source according to the present invention preferably irradiates ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 180 to 280 nm.

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

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a dryer according to the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an ultraviolet light source according to the present invention.

1 to 2, the dryer according to the present invention includes a case constituting an outer appearance, a drying unit installed inside the case, a piping unit for supplying hot air to the drying unit and discharging wet steam; It consists of a UV lamp assembly 40 to generate ultraviolet rays to the drying unit to control the operation of various components.

The case may include a center cabinet 11 forming a body of the apparatus, a base cover 12 installed below the center cabinet 11, and an operation unit 13 ′ installed above the center cabinet 11. ) Is formed on the top cover 13, the front frame 14 is installed in the front of the center cabinet 11, the door frame 15 is provided in the inlet portion, and the back frame is installed behind the center cabinet 11 It consists of (16).

In this case, the door glass 15 'is installed on the door frame 15 so as to grasp the state of the drying unit, and the door glass 15' is not leaked to the outside even when ultraviolet rays are generated from the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40. It is preferable to be manufactured so that

In general, ultraviolet light does not transmit to most materials, but only a limited range of wavelengths are transmitted for a specific material, and the degree of transmission is influenced by the thickness and properties of the material, and thus, such as plastics such as plastic, which UV cannot transmit. Preferably, the door glass 15 'is made to a specific thickness.

Furthermore, since an opening / closing sensor (not shown) is installed between the inlet portion of the front frame 14 and the door frame 15, when the door frame 15 is detected by the opening / closing sensor, The control means blocks the generation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 to prevent leakage to the outside.

On the other hand, the operation unit 13 ′ is installed to be connected to the control means so that the user can not only select the detailed items of the drying course but also select the sterilization course additionally, and input the control signal to the control means. To help.

Next, the drying unit is installed inside the center cabinet 11 and rotates, and a drum 20 having a lifter 21 for lifting laundry therein, between the front frame 14 and the drum 20. A front supporter 22 installed at and supporting the front of the drum 20, and a rear supporter 23 installed between the back frame 16 and the drum 20 to support the rear of the drum 20. It consists of).

At this time, the drum 20 is not only irradiated with ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40, but also irradiated inside the drum 20 is reflected so that the ultraviolet ray can be irradiated everywhere in the drum 20. In order to be made of stainless material is preferred.

Furthermore, the drum 20 is connected to a drive motor (not shown) installed at the rear thereof and is connected to a motor shaft to rotate by receiving the rotational force, thereby controlling the drive motor by the control means to 1G the drum 20. (1 gravity; if more than 1G laundry is attached to the drum by the centrifugal force continues to rotate) Rotate slowly below or lower the laundry by the lifter 21 while allowing the laundry to dry evenly, the drum Inverting (20) in both directions allows the laundry to be more evenly mixed so that more laundry has a sterilizing effect.

In particular, the drum 20 is rotatably installed even if its front and rear ends are supported by the front supporter 22 and the rear supporter 23, and in particular, the ultraviolet lamp assembly (above the upper supporter 22). A mounting hole H is formed so that 40 can be mounted.

At this time, the front supporter 22 is formed in a ring-shaped inclined surface as the diameter of the drum 20 is larger than the diameter of the inlet portion of the front frame 14, the seating hole (H) ) Is formed on top of the front supporter 22, when the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 is mounted, the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 is automatically mounted to face the drum 20 and the ultraviolet rays generated therefrom. The drum 20 is irradiated to face the inside.

Of course, the mounting hole (H) may be formed in any part as the front supporter 22 is formed in an inclined ring shape.

Next, the pipe part is provided with a heater 31 for generating hot air, and a hot air supply duct 32 installed in the rear supporter 23 to supply hot air generated by the heater 31 to the rear of the drum 20. And an exhaust duct 34 installed at the front supporter 14 to discharge wet steam to the outside of the apparatus, and a fan 33 installed at one side of the exhaust duct 34 and driven by a motor 33 '. And a filter assembly 34 ′ installed in the front supporter 14 and inserted into the exhaust duct 34.

Of course, by controlling the operation of the heater 31 and the motor 33 'by the control means to control the temperature of the hot air to supply the hot air into the drum 20 and at the same time to control the rate of discharge of the wet steam steam In order to discharge to the outside, a humidity sensor (not shown) is installed in the drum or a position adjacent thereto to control the operation of the heater 31 and the motor 33 'in consideration of moisture content.

At this time, the hot air generated by the heater 31 is supplied into the drum along the hot air supply duct 32, and the moisture in the laundry inside the drum is evaporated and dried by hot air, and then in this process. The generated wet steam is discharged to the outside through the exhaust duct 34 as the fan 33 is driven, and the foreign matter included in the wet steam is filtered by the filter assembly 34 ′ so as not to be caught by the fan 33. The failure can be prevented.

Next, the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 includes an ultraviolet lamp 42 for generating ultraviolet rays according to a control signal input from the control means, a housing body 44 on which the ultraviolet lamp 42 is seated, and the ultraviolet lamp. And a transmissive plate 46 for transmitting ultraviolet rays generated by the 42 and a housing cover 48 mounted on the front surface of the housing main body 44, wherein the ultraviolet rays are formed inside the drum 20 in addition to the laundry. It is evenly irradiated to sterilize the drum 20 together with the laundry.

In general, the transmissive plate 46 is made of a quartz plate capable of transmitting ultraviolet rays, so that the transmissive plate 46 is easily broken even in a light impact. In order to prevent this, the transmissive plate 46 is combined with the ultraviolet lamp 42 and the housing body 44. And a pair of sealing members S are coupled to the front and rear circumferential portions thereof before being installed between the housing cover 48 and the sealing members S, the sealing members S are formed in the housing body 44 and the transmission plate. It is preferably formed in a ring shape made of rubber material which is installed to abut between 46 and the housing cover 48.

The housing body 44 has a seating groove (not shown) formed so that the ultraviolet lamp 42 can be slid from the side, while the housing cover 48 is installed to be coupled to the housing body 44 A transmission hole (not shown) is formed in the center of the front surface to pass ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet lamp 42, and the housing cover 48 is screw-assembled around the housing body 44.

In addition, the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 may be configured as described above, but may also be composed of an ultraviolet light emitting diode that can secure the same sterilization effect by irradiating ultraviolet rays of a specific wavelength, also supplying power from the control means. To irradiate ultraviolet rays.

Of course, the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 may be installed in close proximity to the door frame 15 so that ultraviolet rays may leak to the outside, but the door frame 15 and the door glass 15 ′ may not transmit ultraviolet rays. The control means controls the operation of the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 so that ultraviolet light is not irradiated even if the user opens the door frame 15 and the door glass 15 '.

Next, the control means receives the control signal input from the operation unit 13 'to adjust the operation of the driving motor, the heater 31, the motor 33', the ultraviolet lamp 42 and the like.

As mentioned above, when the sterilization course is selected by the user, the control means allows the ultraviolet ray to be irradiated from the ultraviolet lamp 42 during the drying process, and controls the operation of the driving motor to control the drum ( While 20) is reversed in both directions to 1G or less, the ultraviolet rays can be evenly radiated, while the opening of the door frame 15 stops the operation of the ultraviolet lamp 42 to prevent the ultraviolet rays from leaking to the outside. do.

Usually, the ultraviolet light is less effective sterilization effect than the relative humidity set value, in consideration of this, the control means receives the moisture content from the humidity sensor when the value is more than the set value, the ultraviolet lamp 42 It is preferable to operate so that ultraviolet rays are not irradiated.

In addition, the ultraviolet light is less effective sterilization effect even if the wind speed of the ambient air is more than the set wind speed, the dryer inside the drum 20 as the fan 33 is operated to supply hot air during the drying process and discharge the wet steam at the same time. Wind speed occurs.

Therefore, the control means is configured to irradiate ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamp 42 after the drying process is completely completed, rather than configuring the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamp 42 before the drying process is completed. While more maximized, the configuration of the ultraviolet light is irradiated from the ultraviolet lamp 42 before the drying process is completed may reduce the overall operating time.

Furthermore, after all drying and sterilization processes are completed, the control means determines whether the laundry is drawn out according to whether the door frame 15 is opened or closed, and if the laundry is not drawn out even after a set time elapses, the ultraviolet lamp 42 UV rays may be periodically irradiated at set time intervals to control continuous sterilization.

In the present invention, in the sterilization of laundry in a dryer by ultraviolet irradiation, the wavelength of the ultraviolet ray, the humidity in the dryer, the flow rate in the drum, etc. were considered as factors influencing the effect of the sterilization. Wavelengths of 180 to 280 nm are suitable, and the lower the humidity in the dryer, the more effective (especially when the relative humidity is less than 60%), and the lower the air flow rate inside the drum, the better (less than 2 m / sec flow). Speed is effective).

Therefore, it is desirable to allow the dryer to be in the above conditions when irradiating ultraviolet rays, and the wavelength of ultraviolet rays can be adjusted by using an ultraviolet light source of such wavelengths, and the flow rate inside the drum can be adjusted by adjusting the rotational speed of the drum. . However, since the relative humidity is generally not equipped with a sensor for measuring the relative humidity, the UV irradiation is performed when a humidity below a predetermined level (for example, 40% or less) is detected by a sensor that simply measures the humidity. can do.

In addition, an element to be considered when using an ultraviolet lamp assembly may include a transmission plate 26. The transmission plate 26 is provided to protect the ultraviolet lamp 22, but most materials (for example, Plastics) do not transmit ultraviolet rays, so a material made of a material which transmits ultraviolet rays such as quartz is used.

3 is a flow chart illustrating a sterilization control method of the dryer according to the present invention, the sterilization control method of the dryer according to the present invention configured as described above with reference to FIG.

First, in the first step, the user inputs laundry, and then the drying administration proceeds (see S1 and S2).

Here, the user may put the laundry dehydrated through the inlet of the front frame 14, and then selectively set the details of the drying course and sterilization course through the operation unit 13 ', so as to sterilize When the drying course including the course is set, drying is performed according to a drying process input in advance.

Specifically, the control means operates the heater 31 so that the hot air is supplied into the drum 20 along the hot air supply duct 32 to dry the laundry by evaporating moisture contained in the laundry. At the same time, since the drum 20 is inverted in one or both directions by operating the driving motor, the lift 21 repeatedly lifts and drops the laundry as the drum 20 is slowly rotated. Allow the laundry to mix and dry evenly.

In addition, since the control means rotates the fan 33 by operating the motor 33 ', the wet steam inside the drum 20 is discharged to the outside through the exhaust duct 34, and the filter assembly ( The foreign material is filtered while passing through 34 ') and then discharged to the outside through the fan 33.

As the drying process proceeds while repeating the above process, the moisture contained in the laundry evaporates and escapes, so that the moisture content is gradually reduced and the laundry is dried.

In the second step, the sterilization stroke is performed while ultraviolet rays are irradiated for a predetermined time in consideration of the water content before or after the drying stroke is completed in the first step (see S3 and S4).

Here, as the fan 33 ′ is operated during the drying process, when the air wind speed inside the drum 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (eg, 2 m / sec), the sterilization effect of ultraviolet rays is reduced. It is desirable to allow the sterilization administration to proceed after the administration is completed. However, in order to reduce the operating time, the drying and sterilization administration may be performed at the same time.

At this time, the control means receives the moisture content from the humidity sensor, and compared with the set value, if the measured value of the moisture content is less than the set value, while the drying administration proceeds and proceeds the sterilization stroke, If it is more than the set value, since the sterilization effect is lowered, the sterilization administration may not proceed, and only the drying administration may be continuously performed.

At this time, the control means to mix the laundry while inverting the drum 20 also slowly in both directions while the ultraviolet light is irradiated by 1G so that the ultraviolet light evenly sterilizes the laundry.

On the other hand, if the door frame 15 is opened by the opening / closing sensor while the sterilization operation is in progress as described above, the control means is the UV lamp 42 as soon as the door frame 15 is opened. Stops the ultraviolet rays from being exposed to the outside.

In the third step, after the sterilization administration of the second step is completed, if the laundry is not withdrawn, the ultraviolet rays are periodically irradiated at set time intervals and stored. (See S5 and S6.)

At this time, the control means determines whether to take out the laundry through the opening and closing detection sensor after the completion of all the drying and sterilization stroke, if the laundry is not withdrawn even after the set time, do not leave the laundry as it is, periodically UV light is irradiated at set time intervals to ensure sterilization.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail by taking an example of an exhaust type dryer for discharging wet air while supplying hot air based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments and drawings, and the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the contents described in the claims below.

In the ultraviolet sterilization drying method according to the present invention configured as described above, the ultraviolet light generated from the ultraviolet light source is irradiated to the laundry inside the drum by attaching the ultraviolet light source to the front supporter or the filter assembly installed between the inlet of the case and the drum. However, the UV light source can be easily installed to generate ultraviolet light of a specific wavelength with excellent sterilization effect. Furthermore, ultraviolet light is irradiated to laundry and drum in consideration of moisture content, thereby maximizing the sterilization effect of laundry and drum. There is an advantage to that.

Claims (7)

A case in which an inlet through which laundry is completed is put into the front; A drum supported by a front supporter inside the inlet of the case and rotatably installed inside the case to dry; An ultraviolet light source installed in the front supporter to sterilize the drum by irradiating ultraviolet rays; And a control means connected to the ultraviolet light source and controlling to generate ultraviolet rays. The method of claim 1, And the ultraviolet light source is an ultraviolet lamp assembly. The method of claim 2, The ultraviolet lamp assembly comprises an ultraviolet lamp for generating ultraviolet rays, an ultraviolet lamp housing surrounding the ultraviolet lamp, and a transmission plate which transmits ultraviolet rays and is provided in the ultraviolet lamp housing. The method of claim 3, wherein Ultraviolet sterilization dryer, characterized in that the transmission plate is a quartz material. The method of claim 1, Ultraviolet light sterilizing dryer, characterized in that the ultraviolet light source is an ultraviolet light emitting diode. The ultraviolet germicidal dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ultraviolet light source irradiates ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 180 to 280 nm. A case in which an inlet through which laundry is completed is put into the front; A drum supported by a front supporter inside the inlet of the case and rotatably installed inside the case to dry; A filter assembly installed at the front supporter to remove foreign substances contained in wet steam; UV sterilization dryer, characterized in that it comprises an ultraviolet light source installed on the filter assembly to irradiate ultraviolet rays to sterilize the drum.

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