KR20080012432A - Method for controlling heater of dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for controlling a heater of a laundry dryer is provided to prevent an internal drum from being overheated by badly cleaning a lint filter. A method for controlling a heater of a laundry dryer comprises the steps: turning on a first heater and a second heater when starting a dry process(S100); detecting internal temperature of a drum by using a temperature sensor; progressing a first control process if internal temperature of the drum is over the first set temperature(S110); progressing a second control process if internal temperature of the drum is over the third set temperature(S180); and progressing a third control process if detected internal temperature of the drum is over the sixth set temperature(S240). The first set temperature is the 140 degrees.

Description

Method for controlling heater of dryer

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

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a dryer system for filter clogging detection in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart showing a heater control method according to the spirit of the present invention.

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

10 dryer 11 cabinet

12 drum 13 door

14 door lint filter 16 cooling fan

17: motor 18: drying fan

19: drying duct 20: heater

The present invention relates to a dryer, and more particularly, to a heater control method of a dryer for controlling the heater operation of the dryer to prevent the thermistor malfunction or damage due to overheating of the drum.

Generally, a washing machine, a dryer, or a combined washing machine provided with a drum device is a device using a rotational motion of a drum. That is, as the drum rotates, the laundry inside the drum also rotates, and the laundry rises and falls by the rotation.

For example, in the drum washing machine, a collision with the washing water occurs due to the rise and fall of the laundry, and the dirt on the laundry is removed by the collision.

In the case of a drum type dryer, hot air generated by an electric heater or a gas combustion device is blown into the drum to dry the object to be dried.

In detail, the drum type dryer includes a condensation type dryer that allows the laundry to be dried while circulating the dryer without the air flowing into the drum, and the air introduced into the drum to dry the laundry and then discharged to the outside. It is roughly classified as a type dryer.

In the case of the dryer as described above, a lint filter for filtering lint generated during the drying process is mounted therein. Then, the air introduced into the drying drum passes through the lint filter while drying the laundry and then discharged to the outside of the drum.

Meanwhile, in the case of a dryer or a washing machine equipped with a lint filter, the lint filter should be cleaned periodically. However, since it is not easy for the consumer to check the exact time of cleaning of the lint filter, it often occurs that the lint filter cannot be cleaned even if it is clogged. In addition, there is a problem that the heater relay control occurs frequently as well as the drying drum is overheated by missing the replacement time of the lint filter. Seriously, there is a problem that lint caught on the filter may be introduced into the heater and cause a risk of ignition.

In addition, when foreign matter accumulates in the lint filter and the air flow is not smooth, the temperature of the outlet side of the drying duct equipped with the heater is rapidly increased. In addition, as the temperature of the outlet side of the drying duct rapidly rises, the temperature sensor does not accurately detect such a degree of superheat, or the sensor malfunctions or breaks due to overheating frequently occurs.

In addition, since the on / off control of the heater is not made, there is a high risk of fire in the dryer.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a heater control method of the dryer so that the on / off of the heater is properly adjusted when the drum is overheated due to a poor cleaning of the lint filter. It is done.

The heater control method of the dryer according to the present invention for achieving the object as described above is the step of starting drying the first heater and the second heater; Sensing the drum internal temperature by a temperature sensor; Entering a first control step when the drum internal temperature rises above a first set temperature; Entering the second control step when the drum internal temperature detected in the first control step rises above the third set temperature; and when the drum internal temperature detected in the second control step rises above the sixth set temperature, Entering the control step is included.

By the configuration as described above, there is an effect that the overheating phenomenon in the drum due to the lint filter cleaning failure is removed.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented, and other embodiments included within the scope of other inventive inventions or the scope of the present invention can be easily made by adding, changing, or deleting other elements. I can suggest.

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

Hereinafter, to explain the idea of the condensation type dryer in order to explain the spirit of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a condensation type dryer 10 in which a filter clogging detection control method according to the present invention is implemented may include a cabinet 11 forming an exterior and a front frame 22 coupled to a front of the cabinet 11. And a front cover 23, a cylindrical drum 12 formed inside the cabinet 11, and a door mounted to a front portion of the drum 12 to open and close an entrance of the drum 12. 13, a belt 21 surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the drum 12 to rotate the drum 12, and a drum support 24 for supporting the rear side of the drum 12 to the cabinet 11. Included. Here, the front portion of the drum 12 is supported by the front cover 23.

In addition, the dryer 10 includes a motor shaft 171 connected to the belt 21, a motor 17 connected to the motor shaft 171 to provide rotational force to the belt 21, and the motor. The cooling fan 16 is connected to the shaft 171 and sucks indoor air while rotating under the rotational force of the motor 17.

In addition, the dryer 10 is connected to the motor shaft 171 on the opposite side of the cooling fan 16 by a drying fan 18 for circulating air in the drum, and by the drying fan 18 As a passage through which the sucked air is moved to the drum 12, a drying duct 19 having a heating unit 20 therein is further included.

In addition, the dryer 10 includes a door lint filter 14 formed on the rear surface of the door 13 to filter lint and the like contained in the wet air discharged from the drum 12, and the door lint filter 14. It further includes a body lint filter 25 for filtering the wet air passed through the) and the circulation duct 15 which is a passage through which the air passing through the body lint filter 25 is moved to a condenser (not shown). .

Hereinafter, the operation of the dryer will be described.

First, when power is applied to the dryer, the motor 17 rotates, and the heater 20 attached to the drying duct 19 is heated. Then, the drum 12 is rotated while the belt 21 connected to the motor shaft 171 rotates. In detail, the drum 12 is rotated with the drum support 24 as the rotation axis. As the drum 12 rotates, the drying object in the drum 12 rotates along the inner wall of the drum and falls by its own weight when the drum 12 reaches the uppermost portion. Here, the object to be dried is lifted by a lift (not shown) attached to the inner wall of the drum 12.

On the other hand, the drying fan 18 connected to the motor shaft 171 operates with the rotation of the motor 17, the circulating air passing through the condenser is sucked. The suctioned circulating air rises along the drying duct 19 to be in a high temperature dry state through the heat generating unit 20. In addition, the circulating air in the high temperature dry state absorbs the moisture present in the object to be dried while passing through the drum 12, thereby becoming a high temperature and high humidity state.

In addition, the hot and humid air is filtered again while passing through the door lint filter 14 and the body lint filter 25, and then moved to the condenser along the circulation duct 15.

In addition, the cooling fan 16 connected to the motor shaft 171 rotates to suck the indoor air outside the dryer. Then, the sucked indoor air is moved to the condenser through the cooling fan 16.

Here, the hot and humid air moved to the condenser along the circulation duct 15 and the indoor air sucked by the cooling fan 16 and moved to the capacitor pass through the condenser. The hot and humid air and the indoor air are not mixed with each other by the shape of the condenser, and only heat exchange occurs.

Thus, the high temperature and high humidity air is changed to low temperature and high humidity air while losing heat to the indoor air while passing through the condenser. Then, as the temperature decreases, moisture contained in the air condenses and falls to the bottom of the condenser, thereby moving to a sump (not shown) in which condensate is collected.

In addition, the water moved to the sump is moved to a condensate reservoir (not shown) located at the top of the dryer by a condensation pump (not shown).

On the other hand, the indoor air passing through the condenser is deprived of the heat of the hot and humid air, the temperature is increased.

Although not shown, at least one temperature sensor is mounted inside the drying drum 12 to sense a temperature inside the drying drum 12. In addition, it is determined whether the lint filters 14 and 25 are blocked according to the sensed temperature value.

In addition, the heater 20 includes a first heater having a relatively low heat generation amount and a second heater having a relatively high heat generation amount. Then, according to the temperature value detected by the temperature sensor, it is determined whether any one or all of the heaters.

Hereinafter, the operation of the dryer according to the filter clogging detection and the detection result by the operation of the temperature sensor and the heater will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a dryer system for detecting a filter clogging according to the spirit of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the dryer system according to the present invention includes a control unit 24, a key input unit 110 for inputting a drying condition, and a temperature sensor mounted inside the drying drum 12 to sense an internal temperature of the drum. 150, a heater 130 for heating air supplied into the drying drum 12, and a temperature value detected by an operation command or a temperature sensor 150 input through the key input unit 110. Accordingly, the driving unit 140 includes a driving unit 140 controlled to be driven by the control unit 100, and a memory 120 storing data transmitted from the key input unit 110 or the temperature sensor 150.

In detail, the heater 130 includes a first heater H1 131 and a second heater H2 132 mounted inside the drying duct 19, and the first heater 131 is a second heater 132. It has a relatively low calorific value compared to). More specifically, the first heater 131 generates approximately 750W of heat, and the second heater 132 generates approximately 1750W of heat.

In addition, the temperature sensor 150 includes a first sensor 151 mounted at the heater inlet side and a second sensor 151 mounted at the heater outlet side. The first sensor 151 corresponds to a low temperature thermistor, and the second sensor corresponds to a high temperature thermistor. However, it should be noted that the number and mounting positions of the temperature sensors are not limited to this embodiment.

By the dryer system constituting the above configuration, when the user enters the drying condition through the key input unit 110, and presses the operation button, the driving unit 140 is operated to rotate the drying drum. At the same time, the heater 130 is driven to supply hot air into the drying drum, and the temperature sensor 150 detects the temperature inside the drying drum at predetermined time intervals. In addition, the sensed temperature value is transmitted to the controller 100, and the operation of the driving unit 140 and the on / off of the heater 130 are determined.

3 is a flowchart showing a heater control method according to the spirit of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, when a user inputs a drying condition through the key input unit 110 and presses an operation button, the first heater H1 and the second heater H2 are turned on (ST100). In addition, the temperature sensor 150, in particular, the second sensor 152, which is a high temperature thermistor, senses the internal temperature (TH) of the drum (or the heater outlet). Then, it is determined whether the sensing temperature TH is higher than the first set temperature T1 (ST110). Here, the first set temperature (T1) is preferably 140 degrees Celsius.

In detail, when the temperature value TH detected by the temperature sensor 150 is lower than the first set temperature T1, the normal drying process is performed while the heaters H1 and H2 are both kept in an on state. Then, it is determined whether drying is completed (ST120), and if drying is in progress, it is determined in real time whether the drum internal temperature TH is higher than the first set temperature T1 by the temperature sensor 150. On the other hand, if it is determined that the drying is completed, the drying process is terminated.

Meanwhile, when it is determined that the temperature value TH detected by the temperature sensor 150 is higher than the first set temperature T1, some of the heaters are turned off and the drum internal temperature TH is maintained within the set temperature range. A first control step is performed to make this possible.

In detail, when it is determined that the temperature value TH detected by the temperature sensor 150 is higher than the first set temperature T1, when entering the first control step, the first heater H1 is turned off (ST130). . After the first heater H1 is turned off, it is determined whether the drum internal temperature TH is lower than the second set temperature T2 by the temperature sensor 150 (ST140). If it is determined that the drum internal temperature TH is lower than the second set temperature, the first heater H1 is turned on again (ST150), and if it is determined to be higher than the second set temperature, the first heater H1 is turned off. maintain. This means that the heater is restarted when the drum internal temperature TH drops below the second set temperature after the drum inside is overheated and the first heater H1 is turned off. The second set temperature is preferably about 120 degrees Celsius.

In addition, after the first heater H1 is turned on again, it is determined whether drying is completed (ST160), and if the drying is in progress, the drum internal temperature TH is determined by the temperature sensor 150 to be the first set temperature. It is determined whether it is higher than T1 (ST170). When the drum internal temperature TH is lower than the first set temperature T1, drying is continuously performed while both the first heater H1 and the second heater H2 are turned on. On the other hand, when the drum internal temperature TH is higher than the first set temperature T1, it is determined whether it is higher than the third set temperature T3 (ST180). The third set temperature T3 is preferably about 145 degrees Celsius.

In detail, when the drum internal temperature TH detected by the temperature sensor is lower than the third set temperature T3, drying is performed while the first and second heaters H1 and H2 are turned on. On the other hand, when it is determined that the drum internal temperature TH is higher than the third set temperature, a second control step is performed in which both the first and second heaters are turned off, and the drum interior is kept within the set temperature range.

As described above, when the internal temperature of the drum is higher than the set temperature to enter the first control step, the inside of the drum is controlled by the first set temperature T1 and the second set temperature (T) by the on-off process of the first heater H1. T2) is controlled to remain within the range.

Meanwhile, when it is determined that the drum internal temperature TH is higher than the third set temperature and enters the second control step, both the first and second heaters H1 and H2 are turned off (ST190).

In detail, after both of the first and second heaters H1 and H2 are turned off, it is determined by the temperature sensor whether the drum internal temperature TH is lower than the fourth set temperature T4 (ST200). That is, the heater is maintained in a completely off state until the drum internal temperature drops below the fourth set temperature T4. Here, the fourth set temperature (T4) is preferably approximately 95 degrees Celsius.

In more detail, when the drum internal temperature TH drops below the fourth set temperature, the second heater H2 is turned on (ST210). The control unit determines whether drying is complete (ST220), and when it is determined that drying is completed, the whole drying process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that drying is in progress, it is determined whether the drum internal temperature TH is higher than the fifth set temperature T5 (ST230). Here, the fifth set temperature T5 is preferably about 125 degrees Celsius. In detail, when the drum internal temperature TH is lower than the fifth set temperature T5, drying continues while the second heater H2 is turned on. On the contrary, when it is judged that it is higher than 5th set temperature T5, it is judged again whether it is higher than 6th set temperature T6 (ST240). Here, the sixth set temperature T6 is preferably about 130 degrees Celsius.

In more detail, when it is determined that the temperature value TH sensed by the temperature sensor is lower than the sixth set temperature T6, the first and second heaters H1 and H2 are both turned off, thereby causing a drum internal temperature. (TH) falls below the fourth set temperature (T4). On the contrary, when it is determined that the sensing temperature value TH is higher than the sixth set temperature T6, both the first and second heaters H1 and H2 are turned off so that the drum internal temperature is maintained within another set temperature range. To enter the third control step.

Here, in the second control step, after all the heaters are turned off, by the on-off control of the second heater (H2), after the drum internal temperature is lowered below the fourth set temperature (T4), the fourth set temperature Characterized in that it is maintained within the fifth set temperature (T5) at (T4).

Meanwhile, when the drum internal temperature is higher than the sixth set temperature T6 and the drying process enters the third control step, both the first heater and the second heaters H1 and H2 are turned off (ST250). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the drum internal temperature TH is lower than the fourth set temperature T4 (ST260). That is, the heater remains off until the drum internal temperature drops below the fourth set temperature T4.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the drum internal temperature TH detected by the temperature sensor has fallen below the fourth set temperature T4, the first heater H1 is turned on (ST270). When the first heater H1 is turned on, the controller determines whether drying is completed (ST280), and when it is determined that drying is completed, the entire drying process is terminated.

On the other hand, when drying is in progress, it is again determined whether the drum internal temperature TH is higher than the fifth set temperature T5 (ST290). In detail, when the drum internal temperature TH is higher than the fifth set temperature T5, the first and second heaters H1 and H2 are both turned off to repeatedly fall below the fourth set temperature T4. do. Then, when the drum internal temperature TH is lower than the fifth set temperature T5, drying is continuously performed while the first heater H1 is turned on.

As described above, in the third control step, the drum internal temperature TH is equal to the fourth set temperature T4 by the on-off control of the first heater H1 while the heaters H1 and H2 are both turned off. It is characterized in that it is maintained within the fifth set temperature (T5) range.

As described above, the temperature control method and the heater on / off control method of the temperature sensor composed of a plurality of steps, preferably three steps, has the advantage of ensuring the safety of the temperature sensor.

In detail, when the inside of the drum is overheated due to clogging of the lint filter, the heater is quickly shut off, thereby keeping the inside of the drum in a safe state. In addition, when the temperature rises to a certain extent, by appropriately controlling the on / off of the heater, the thermistor malfunction or damage is prevented and the thermistor safety is improved. In addition, there is an effect that the risk of damage or fire of the heater is prevented in advance.

By the heater control method of the dryer constituting the above configuration, there is an effect that the overheating phenomenon in the drum due to the lint filter cleaning failure is removed.

In addition, even if the inside of the drum is overheated due to poor cleaning of the lint filter, since the filter can be immediately turned on and off, a problem such as a breakage of the temperature sensor is eliminated, and there is an advantage of reducing consumer complaints.

In addition, even if the temperature of the outlet side of the drying duct equipped with the heater is rapidly increased, since the temperature control is properly performed by the temperature sensor, there is an advantage that the risk of the fire of the dryer is significantly reduced.

Claims (12)

Drying is started to turn on the first heater and the second heater; Sensing the drum internal temperature by a temperature sensor; Entering a first control step when the drum internal temperature rises above a first set temperature; Entering a second control step when the drum internal temperature detected in the first control step rises above a third set temperature; and And entering a third control step when the drum internal temperature detected in the second control step rises above the sixth set temperature. The method of claim 1, The first set temperature is a heater control method of the dryer, characterized in that 140 degrees Celsius. The method of claim 1, The first heater is turned off when entering the first control step, When the drum internal temperature falls below the second set temperature, the process of turning on the first heater again is repeated, so that the drum inside is maintained within the first set temperature and the second set temperature range. Way. The method of claim 3, wherein The second set temperature is a heater control method of the dryer, characterized in that 120 degrees Celsius. The method of claim 1, The first heater and the second heater is turned off when entering the second control step, When the drum internal temperature falls below the fourth set temperature, the second heater is turned on again, so that the drum inside is maintained within the fourth set temperature and the fifth set temperature range. Way. The method of claim 5, wherein The third set temperature is a heater control method of the dryer, characterized in that 145 degrees Celsius. The method of claim 1, The first heater and the second heater is turned off when entering the third control step, When the drum internal temperature falls below the fourth set temperature, the process of turning on the first heater again is repeated, so that the drum inside is maintained within the fourth set temperature and the fifth set temperature range. Way.. The method according to claim 5 or 7, And the fourth set temperature is 95 degrees Celsius, and the fifth set temperature is 125 degrees Celsius. The method of claim 1, The sixth set temperature is a heater control method of the dryer, characterized in that 130 degrees Celsius. The method of claim 1, In the first control step, if the elevated temperature inside the drum is higher than the first set temperature and lower than the third set temperature, the first heater is turned off until the drum internal temperature falls below the second set temperature. How to control the heater in the dryer. The method of claim 1, In the second control step, if the elevated temperature inside the drum is higher than the fifth set temperature and lower than the sixth set temperature, both the first heater and the second heater are turned off until the drum internal temperature drops below the fourth set temperature. Heater control method of a dryer, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, In the third control step, if the elevated temperature inside the drum is higher than the fifth set temperature, both the first heater and the second heater are turned off until the drum internal temperature drops below the fourth set temperature. Heater control method.

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