WO2023128214A1

WO2023128214A1 - Dryer and control method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2023128214A1
Application number: PCT/KR2022/017027
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이건호; 김도경; 이민형; 이영수; 이호철; 정승은
Original assignee: 삼성전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2021-12-29
Filing date: 2022-11-02
Publication date: 2023-07-06
Also published as: US20240271354A1; EP4407086A1

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a dryer that performs an ice removal operation. To this end, provided are: a drum configured to receive an object to be dried; at least one first sensor configured to detect the presence of the object to be dried, in the drum; a pump chamber configured to store condensate; a discharge pump configured to discharge the condensate from the pump chamber; and a control unit configured to limit the number of times of forced discharging of the discharge pump to lower the water level of the pump chamber, when the object to be dried, in the drum, is detected on the basis of a signal of the at least one first sensor.

Description

Dryer and its control method

The present disclosure relates to a dryer that performs an ice removal operation and a control method thereof.

The dryer corresponds to an electronic product that dries objects to be dried, such as clothes, towels, or blankets. The dryer may include, for example, a drum capable of accommodating an object to be dried, and may dry the object by supplying hot air into the drum while rotating the drum at a low speed.

Conventionally, the dryer is an exhaust type dryer that directly discharges the humid air discharged from the drum to the outside after heat exchange with the object to be dried in the drum, instead of directly discharging the humid air discharged from the drum to the outside. It can be classified as a circulation type (or condensation type) dryer that circulates back into the drum through dehumidification and heating processes.

The condensation dryer has a heat pump system composed of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, and is configured to circulate a refrigerant therebetween. In the case of a condensation type dryer, the humid air discharged from the drum is heat exchanged and dehumidified through contact with the evaporator of the heat pump system, heated through the condenser, and then introduced back into the drum in a hot and dry state. In addition, condensed water condensed from the air forms on the surface of the evaporator in the heat exchange process described above. Condensate on the surface of the evaporator accumulates on the bottom of the base of the dryer and moves to the pump room, and the drain pump operates to discharge the condensate collected in the pump room to the outside at a certain period or at a certain water level.

However, in winter when the outside air temperature is low, the condensate remaining in the pump chamber of the dryer may be frozen and the drain pump may be restricted, and thus the condensed water cannot be drained. When an object to be dried is dried in the frozen state of the pump room, the condensed water generated before the ice melts continues to rise, and the water level in the pump room is detected by the water level sensor. However, in order to solve the freezing of the pump room, the dryer drives the heat pump system regardless of whether the water level sensor detects the full water level, and the heat emitted from the compressor provided near the pump room or the air passage through which the air circulating inside and outside the drum flows. Use to remove ice from the pump chamber.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are to provide a dryer and a control method for limiting forced drain recovery of condensate in consideration of whether an object to be dried exists in a drum of the dryer.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are to provide a dryer and a control method for performing an ice removal operation until condensate is drained in the dryer when there is no object to be dried in the drum of the dryer.

A dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a drum configured to accommodate an object to be dried; at least one first sensor configured to detect the presence of the object to be dried in the drum; a pump chamber configured to store condensate; a drainage pump configured to discharge the condensed water from the pump chamber; and a control unit configured to limit the number of times of forced draining of the drain pump to lower the water level in the pump chamber when the object to be dried in the drum is detected based on a signal of the at least one first sensor.

A control method of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a drum configured to accommodate an object to be dried; at least one first sensor configured to detect the object to be dried in the drum; a pump chamber configured to store condensate; a second sensor configured to detect a water level in the pump chamber; and a drainage pump configured to discharge the condensed water, comprising: acquiring information for detecting an object to be dried in the drum through the at least one first sensor; obtaining water level information of the pump chamber through the second sensor, and determining whether the water level of the pump chamber is full based on the obtained water level information of the pump chamber; and determining whether an object to be dried exists in the drum based on information for detecting an object to be dried in the drum when the water level in the pump chamber is full. and limiting the number of forced drains of the drain pump to lower the water level in the pump chamber when there is an object to be dried in the drum.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the dryer limits the number of times forced drainage is performed when an object to be dried exists in the drum, and freezes when the full water level of the pump room in which condensate water is stored is not resolved even after the limited number of forced drainage. By stopping the removal operation, leakage due to additionally generated condensate can be prevented. In addition, damage to the object to be dried due to high-temperature hot air can be prevented.

Effects obtainable in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned are common knowledge in the art to which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong from the following description. can be clearly derived and understood by those who have That is, unintended effects according to the implementation of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

1 is a perspective view of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

2 is a side cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

3 is a cross-sectional view of a pump chamber of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating an air circulation path circulating inside and outside a drum of a dryer and a refrigerant circulation path circulating a heat pump system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

5 is a block diagram schematically showing the operation function of the dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an ice removal mode of the dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

7 is diagrams for explaining the operation of a drain pump according to the presence or absence of an object to be dried in a drum in the deicing mode of the dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar elements. Also, in the drawings and related descriptions, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

1 is a perspective view of a dryer 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a housing 110 forming an exterior. The housing 110 may have, for example, a hexahedral shape.

The housing 110 includes a base plate 111 forming the lower surface of the dryer 100, a front cover 112 forming the front surface of the dryer 100, and a top cover 113 forming the upper surface of the dryer 100. , And may include a side cover 114 forming the side and rear of the dryer (100).

An opening (not shown) may be formed in the center of the front cover 112 to insert or take out an object to be dried from the drum 120 .

The housing 110 may include a door 115 rotatably connected to the front cover 112 . The door 115 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the opening of the front cover 112 . The opening (not shown) may be opened and closed by rotation of the door 115 .

The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include an input unit 117 that receives a command related to operation control of the dryer 100 from a user. The input unit 117 may be disposed on the front cover 112 . The input unit 117 may include, for example, at least one of a jog shuttle or dial type input unit 117a and a touch pad or key/button type input unit 117b that can be grasped and rotated by a user. An input unit may be included.

The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a display 118 that outputs various types of information about the operation of the dryer 100 . The display 118 may be disposed on the front cover 112 . The display 118 may include, for example, various types of display panels such as LCD, LED, OLED, QLED, and Micro LED. For example, a touch pad may be disposed on the front portion of the display 118 to be implemented as a touch screen.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a drum 120 configured to accommodate an object to be dried. The drum 120 may be rotatably disposed within the housing 110 . The drum 120 may have open front and rear surfaces. The drum 120 may be formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. The front end of the drum 120 may be rotatably supported by the front panel 121 connected to the front cover 112 . In addition, the rear end of the drum 120 may be rotatably supported by the rear panel 122 connected to the side cover 114 .

An opening 123 may be formed at the center of the front panel 121 . The opening 123 may be formed at a position corresponding to an opening (not shown) of the front cover 112 and the door 115 . As the door 115 is opened and closed, the opening of the front cover 112 and the opening 123 of the front panel 121 may be opened and closed together. When the door 115 is opened, the drum 120 can communicate with the dryer 100, and the user can put an object to be dried into the drum 120 or take out an object to be dried from the inside of the drum 120. . When the door 115 is closed, the drum 120 may be blocked from the outside of the dryer 100 .

An air outlet 124 through which air flows may be formed on a lower side of the front panel 121 . Air inside the drum 120 may be discharged to the outside of the drum 120 through the air outlet 124 .

An air inlet 125 through which air flows may be formed in the rear panel 122 . External air of the drum 120 may be supplied to the inside of the drum 120 through the air inlet 125 .

The drum 120 may include a plurality of lifters 126 protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the drum 120 . Each of the plurality of lifters 126 may repeatedly raise and lower the object to be dried when the drum 120 rotates. Accordingly, the object to be dried can be evenly dried in the drying process.

The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a roller 128 supporting rotation of the drum 120 . The roller 128 may be disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the drum 120 .

The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a drum driving unit 130 that rotates the drum 120 . The drum driving unit 130 includes a motor 131 generating power, a pulley 132 rotating by receiving power from the motor 131, and a belt 133 connecting the pulley 131 and the drum 120. can include The belt 133 may be installed to surround the outer circumferential surface of the pulley 132 and the outer circumferential surface of the drum 120, and the pulley 132 rotates and the drum 120 also rotates according to the driving of the motor 131. there is. The drum 120 may rotate clockwise and/or counterclockwise according to driving of the motor 131 .

The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include an air passage 140 for guiding air circulating inside and outside the drum 120 and a blowing fan 141 for forming air flow.

The air passage 140 includes a front duct 144 connecting the air outlet 124 of the front panel 121 and the blowing fan 141, and the air inlet 125 of the rear panel 122 and the blowing fan 141. ) may include a rear duct 145 connecting them.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pulley 132 may be connected to one side of the driving motor 131 and a blowing fan 141 may be connected to the other side of the driving motor 132 . Accordingly, when the driving motor 131 operates, not only the pulley 132 but also the blowing fan 141 may receive power from the driving motor 131 and rotate. According to another embodiment (not shown) of the present disclosure, a separate motor (not shown) for driving the blowing fan 141 may be further provided in the housing 110 . Accordingly, the pulley 132 and the blowing fan 141 may independently rotate regardless of the operation of the driving motor 131 . When the blowing fan 141 operates, the air inside the drum 120 is discharged to the outside of the drum 120 through the air outlet 124 by the air flow generated by the rotation of the blowing fan 141, and the drum ( 120) External air may be supplied into the drum 120 through the air inlet 125. Accordingly, air may circulate inside and outside the drum 120 .

The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a filter 146 filtering foreign substances contained in air circulating inside and outside the drum 120 . The filter 146 may filter foreign substances such as dust or lint generated from the object to be dried during the drying process. The filter 146 may be disposed in the front duct 144 of the air passage 140 .

The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a heat pump system 150 that dehumidifies or heats air circulating inside and outside the drum 120 through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air.

The heat pump system 150 may be installed on the base plate 111 of the housing 110 . At least some of the elements of the heat pump system 150, such as the condenser 152 and the evaporator 154, may be disposed in the air passage 140. The heat pump system 150 includes a compressor ( 156 in FIG. 3 ) that compresses the refrigerant, a condenser 152 that heats air through heat exchange between air and refrigerant, and an evaporator 154 that dehumidifies air through heat exchange between air and refrigerant. ), and an expansion valve (158 in FIG. 3) for expanding the refrigerant.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the compressor 156 may compress the refrigerant through reciprocating motion of a piston in a cylinder. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the compressor 156 may compress the refrigerant through rotational motion of the rotor. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The air discharged from the drum 120 and introduced into the front duct 144 may be cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the evaporator 154 disposed on the air passage 140 . Moisture contained in the air discharged from the drum 120 may be condensed and removed by the heat exchange process. Accordingly, condensed water may be generated near the evaporator 154 . The air cooled in the evaporator 154 may be heated by exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the condenser 152 disposed on the air flow path 140 . Air supplied to the drum 120 may be heated by the heat exchange process.

The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a heater 147 for heating air supplied to the drum 120 . The heater 147 may be disposed in the rear duct 145 of the air passage 140 . The heater 147 may be located between the condenser 152 of the heat pump system 150 and the air inlet 125 of the rear panel 122 . The heater 147 may additionally heat the air heated by the condenser 152 .

The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a first sensor 180 (FIG. 5) for detecting an object to be dried accommodated in the drum 120. For convenience of explanation, a detailed description of the first sensor 180 will be described later.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a pump chamber 160 storing condensed water. The pump chamber 160 may store condensed water generated by heat exchange between air and the refrigerant in the evaporator 154 of the heat pump system 150 . The pump chamber 160 may form at least a part of the rear surface of the side panel 114 . The pump chamber 160 may include a pump chamber body 162 having an open top and forming a space in which condensate is stored, and a pump chamber cover 164 shielding the opening of the pump chamber body 162 .

The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a drain pump 170 for discharging condensed water stored in the pump chamber 160 to the outside. The drain pump 170 is connected to a drain pipe (not shown), and discharges the condensed water stored in the pump chamber 160 to the outside of the dryer 100 through the drain pipe, or a water container (not shown) provided separately inside the dryer 100. city) can be supplied. The drain pump 170 may be installed on the pump chamber cover 164 of the pump chamber 160 .

The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a second sensor 190 that detects a water level in the pump chamber 160 . The second sensor 190 may be referred to as a water level sensor 190, and for convenience of explanation, the second sensor 190 will be referred to as the water level sensor 190 below. The water level sensor 190 may be installed on the pump chamber cover 164 of the pump chamber 160 . The water level sensor 190 may include a stem 191 fixed by the pump chamber cover 164 and extending downward, and a float 192 connected to the stem 191 to be movable up and down. Since the float 192 also rises as the water level in the pump chamber 160 rises, the water level sensor 190 can detect the water level in the pump chamber 160 through the height of the float 192 . However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various other types of water level sensing means such as an electrode type sensor may be used as the water level sensor.

Referring to FIG. 4 , an air circulation path (indicated by a solid line) shows the flow of air between the aforementioned drum 120 and the air passage 140 . The refrigerant circulation path (indicated by a dotted line) shows the refrigerant flow between the components of the heat pump system 150 described above.

The compressor 156 may compress the gaseous refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure state and discharge the compressed high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 156 may be supplied to the condenser 152 . The condenser 152 condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 156 into a liquid state through heat exchange between air and the refrigerant, and may discharge heat to the surroundings. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 152 may be supplied to the expansion valve 158 . The expansion valve 158 may expand the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 152 into a low-pressure liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 158 may be supplied to the evaporator 154 . The evaporator 154 evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 158 into a gaseous state through heat exchange between air and the refrigerant, and can absorb ambient heat. Thereafter, the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 154 may be returned to the compressor 156 . Accordingly, in the heat pump system 150, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 156, the condenser 152, the expansion valve 158, and the evaporator 154 to exchange heat with air.

As described above, air inside the drum 120 may be discharged to the outside of the drum 120 through the air outlet 124 . Air discharged from the drum 120 may be supplied to the evaporator 154 through the blowing fan 141 . The air supplied to the evaporator 154 may be cooled by taking away heat to the refrigerant by an evaporation process of the refrigerant in the evaporator 154 . That is, heat of the air may be transferred to the refrigerant by a heat exchange action in the evaporator 154 . Accordingly, when the air supplied to the evaporator 154 is cooled and the temperature of the air is lowered below the dew point, moisture contained in the air may be condensed on the surface of the evaporator 154, and the air supplied to the evaporator 154 may be condensed. Moisture can be removed. Water (condensed water) condensed on the surface of the evaporator 154 may be collected in a water trap (not shown) provided below the evaporator 154 . The condensed water collected in the water trap (not shown) may be supplied to and stored in a separate storage, for example, the pump chamber 160, and discharged to the outside through the drain pump 170.

The air dehumidified by the evaporator 154 may be supplied to the condenser 152 . Air supplied to the condenser 154 may be heated by absorbing heat from the refrigerant by condensation of the refrigerant in the condenser 154 . That is, heat of the refrigerant may be transferred to air by a heat exchange action in the condenser 152 . Accordingly, the air supplied to the condenser 152 may be heated to a high temperature and dry state. The air heated by the condenser 152 may be supplied to the heater 146 and may be additionally heated by the heater 146 . The air additionally heated by the heater 146 may be supplied to the inside of the drum 120 . As a result, the air circulating through the drum 120 is dehumidified and heated by the heat pump system 150 and can be used to dry the object stored in the drum 120 .

In this drawing and related descriptions, for convenience of description, detailed descriptions of components other than those necessary for understanding the operation and function of the dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be omitted.

The input unit 117 may receive various inputs/commands from the user. The input unit 117 may receive a selection of an operation mode of the dryer 100, for example, an ice removal mode or a drying mode, from a user. The input unit 117 may receive an operation start and/or stop command according to the operation mode of the dryer selected from the user.

The first sensor 180 may detect the presence of an object to be dried stored in the drum 120 of the dryer 100 . The first sensor 180 may include a current sensor 181 that obtains a current value of the driving motor 131 and/or a humidity sensor 182 that obtains a humidity value of the drum 120 . The humidity sensor 182 may come into contact with the object to be dried as the drum 120 rotates and obtain an electrical signal (humidity value) according to the amount of moisture contained in the object to be dried. The humidity sensor 182 may be installed on the front lower part of the drum 120 .

The second sensor 190 (water level sensor) may detect the water level in the pump chamber 160 .

The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a controller 200 that controls overall operations of the dryer 100 and a memory 210 in which data related to overall operations of the dryer 100 is stored. The memory 210 may store data values for determining whether an object to be dried exists in the drum 120 . The memory 210 may store data values for determining whether the water level in the pump chamber 160 is full.

The controller 200 may receive various inputs or commands from the user through the input unit 117 . For example, the controller 200 may receive an input or command related to a drying mode for drying an object to be dried or an ice removal mode for removing ice from the pump chamber 160 through the input unit 117 .

When a command to select an ice removal mode and start an operation is received through the input unit 117, the control unit 200 monitors the data value obtained from the first sensor 180 to determine whether an object to be dried exists in the drum 120. can judge For example, the controller 200 may receive a driving current value of the driving motor 131 from the current sensor 181 . For example, the controller 200 may receive the humidity value of the drum 120 from the humidity sensor 182 . The control unit 200 sets the difference between the threshold current value of the drive motor 131 stored in the memory 210 and the current value of the drive motor 131 received from the current sensor 181, stored in the memory 210. It is possible to determine whether an object to be dried exists in the drum 120 by comparing the difference value. Here, the critical current value may refer to a driving current value of the driving motor 131 obtained when there is no object to be dried in the drum 120 . The controller 200 compares the initial humidity value stored in the memory 210 with the humidity value of the drum 120 received from the humidity sensor 182 to determine whether an object to be dried exists in the drum 120. . Here, the initial humidity value may refer to a humidity value within the drum 120 obtained when an object to be dried does not exist within the drum 120 .

When the control unit 200 receives an ice removal mode selection and operation start command through the input unit 117, the controller 200 monitors the data value obtained from the second sensor 190 to determine whether the water level in the pump chamber 160 is full. can judge Specifically, the controller 200 may receive the water level value of the pump chamber 160 from the water level sensor, which is the second sensor 190 . The control unit 200 compares the critical water level value of the pump chamber 160 stored in the memory 210 with the water level value of the pump chamber 160 received from the water level sensor 190 to determine whether the water level in the pump chamber 160 is full. can judge Here, the critical water level value is a water level value when the water level in the pump chamber 160 is full, and means a value at which leakage may occur in the pump chamber 160 when the water level in the pump chamber 160 rises beyond this value. can

The controller 200 may transmit a message including information about the overall operation or state of the dryer 100 to the display 118 . The controller 200 displays an error message (eg, water empty message) on the display 118 when the full water level of the condensed water stored in the pump chamber 160 is not resolved despite the operation of the drain pump 170 in the ice removal mode. can deliver.

The controller 200 may rotate the driving motor 131 clockwise and/or counterclockwise. As described above, the controller 200 may rotate the drum 120 through the pulley 132 and the belt 133 receiving the driving force of the driving motor 131 . According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving motor 131 is connected to the blowing fan 141 to rotate the blowing fan 141, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The controller 200 may adjust the operation of the drain pump 170 based on signal values of the first sensor 180 and the second sensor 190 in the ice removal mode.

The control unit 200 may control the operation of the compressor 156 to eliminate freezing of the dryer 100 such as the pump chamber 160 in the ice removal mode. The controller 200 may drive the compressor 156 with a higher output than the output of the compressor 156 in the drying planet in the deicing mode.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the dryer 100 according to an embodiment may start the deicing mode when the user inputs the deicing mode through the input unit 117 .

In the deicing mode, the dryer 100 according to an embodiment may start monitoring to determine whether or not an object to be dried is present in the drum 120 (S610). According to an embodiment, the controller 200 may receive a signal value for determining whether an object to be dried is present in the drum 120 in the deicing mode, from the first sensor 180 . The controller 200 may continuously receive the humidity value in the drum 120 from the humidity sensor 182 of the first sensor 180 in the deicing mode. The controller 200 may continuously receive the driving current value of the driving motor 131 from the current sensor 181 of the first sensor 180 in the ice removal mode. The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may detect the weight of the drum 120 based on the driving current value of the driving motor 131 .

After step S610 , the control unit 200 may receive the water level value of the pump chamber 160 from the water level sensor 190 as the second sensor 190 . According to an embodiment, the control unit 200 may determine whether the water level in the pump chamber 160 corresponds to a full water level based on the water level value in the pump chamber 160 (S620). Specifically, when the water level value of the pump chamber 160 obtained through the water level sensor 190 is equal to or greater than the preset threshold water level value (A), the controller 200 determines that the water level in the pump chamber 160 corresponds to the full water level. can Here, the critical water level value A may mean a water level value when the pump chamber 160 is at a full water level. On the other hand, when the water level value obtained through the water level sensor 190 is equal to or less than the preset threshold water level value A, the controller 200 may determine that the water level in the pump chamber 160 corresponds to the low water level.

When the water level in the pump chamber 160 corresponds to the full water level (Yes in S620), the control unit 200 sets the number of forced drains of the drainage pump 170 counted in step S650 to be described later to a preset stop count value B ( For example, it may be determined whether 3) has been reached (S630).

When the counted number of forced drains of the drain pump 170 does not reach the preset stop count value B (No in S630), the control unit 200 determines the number of first sensor 180 acquired in step S610. Based on the signal value, it is possible to determine whether an object to be dried exists in the drum 120 (S642, S644).

The control unit 200 may determine whether an object to be dried is present in the drum 120 based on the humidity value in the drum 120 obtained by the humidity sensor 182 in step S610 (S642). According to one embodiment, the control unit 200 determines whether the humidity value in the drum 120 obtained by the humidity sensor 182 in step S610 is equal to or greater than the preset initial humidity value C (eg, 0). can be determined (S642). Specifically, when the humidity value inside the drum 120 is equal to or greater than the initial humidity value (C), the controller 200 may determine that an object to be dried exists within the drum 120 . On the other hand, when the humidity value inside the drum 120 is equal to or less than the initial humidity value C, the control unit 200 may determine that there is no object to be dried within the drum 120. That is, in step S642, the control unit 200 may primarily determine whether there is an object to be dried in the drum 120.

When the humidity value inside the drum 120 is equal to or less than the initial humidity value C (Yes in S642), the controller 200 determines the drive current value of the drive motor 120 obtained by the current sensor 181 in step S610. Based on this, it is possible to determine whether or not there is an object to be dried in the drum 120 (S644). According to an embodiment, the control unit 200 determines that the difference between the drive current value of the drum 120 and the threshold current value of the drum 120 obtained by the current sensor 181 in step S610 is a preset difference value. (D) It is possible to determine whether it is less than (set weight value) (S644). Here, the critical current value of the drum 120 may mean a driving current value of the rotating drum 120 measured in a state in which the object to be dried does not exist in the drum 120 . Also, the difference between the driving current value of the drum 120 and the critical current value of the drum 120 may be referred to as a weight detection value. Specifically, when the difference between the driving current value and the threshold current value of the drum 120 is equal to or greater than the set difference value D, the controller 200 may determine that an object to be dried exists in the drum 120 . On the other hand, when the difference between the driving current value of the drum 120 and the threshold current value is equal to or less than the set difference value D, the controller 200 may determine that the object to be dried does not exist in the drum 120 . That is, in step S644, the control unit 200 may secondarily determine whether an object to be dried exists in the drum 120.

When an object to be dried in the drum 120 is detected (No in S642 or No in S644), the control unit 200 counts (n = n + 1) the number of forced drains (n) of the drain pump 170. Yes (S650). Here, the number of forced drainage may mean the number of on/off operations of the drainage pump that operates when an object to be dried in the drum 120 is detected. After step S650, the control unit 200 may operate the drain pump 170 to discharge the condensed water stored in the pump chamber 160 to the outside (S660). That is, the control unit 200 may perform a safety operation of limiting the number of forced drains of the drain pump 170 to lower the water level in the pump chamber 160 when an object to be dried is detected in the drum 120 . Accordingly, in the dryer 100 according to an embodiment, when an object to be dried exists in the drum 120, leakage due to additionally generated condensate and damage to the object to be dried due to hot air can be prevented.

When an object to be dried is not detected in the drum 120 (Yes in S644), the control unit 200 does not count the number of times of forced drainage of the drainage pump 170, and discharges the condensate stored in the pump chamber 160 to the outside. The drain pump 170 may be operated (S660). That is, the control unit 200 may not limit the number of times of forced draining of the drain pump 170 to lower the water level in the pump chamber 160 when an object to be dried is not detected in the drum 120 . Accordingly, the ice removal mode can be continuously performed by avoiding the safe operation of limiting the number of times of forced draining of the drain pump 170 .

After step S660, the control unit 200 may return to step S620 to determine again whether the water level in the pump chamber 160 corresponds to the full water level (S620).

When it is determined that the water level in the pump chamber 160 is full again (Yes in S620), the control unit 200 checks again whether the number of forced drains n of the drain pump 170 counted in step S650 has reached the stop count value. It can be judged (S630). Specifically, when the counted number of forced drains n of the drain pump 170 does not reach the stop count value (No in S630), the control unit 200 moves to step S640 and repeats the above-described series of steps can do In contrast, when the counted number of forced drains n of the drain pump 170 reaches a preset count value (Yes in S630), the controller 200 displays an error message (eg, water empty) on the display 118. display) may be output, and the operation of the dryer 100 may be temporarily stopped (S670). For example, the controller 200 may stop the operation of the driving motor 131, the blowing fan 141, the compressor 156, and/or the drain pump 170 in order to temporarily stop the dryer 100. .

When the water level in the pump chamber 160 corresponds to the low water level (No in S620), the control unit 200 determines whether the operation time of the dryer 100 in the deicing mode has elapsed the preset basic operation time E. It can be judged (S680).

When the operating time of the dryer 100 in the deicing mode does not pass the basic operating time E (No in S680), the control unit 200 returns to step S620 to re-perform the above-described series of steps. there is.

When the operating time of the dryer 100 in the ice removal mode has elapsed the basic operating time E (Yes in S680), the controller 200 stops the operation of the compressor 156 and operates the blowing fan 141. After performing a cooling operation for a predetermined time, the deicing mode may be terminated (S690).

When the deicing mode of the dryer 100 according to an embodiment is performed (FIG. 6), when the water level in the pump chamber 160 is full, the control unit 100 performs steps S642 and/or S644, but other When the deicing mode of the dryer according to the embodiment is performed (not shown), when the water level in the pump chamber 160 is full, the controller may perform only one of step S642 or step S644.

7 is a view for explaining the operation of a drainage pump according to signal values of various types of sensors in the deicing mode of the dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an ice removal mode performed in a state in which the pump chamber 160 is at a full water level and an object to be dried does not exist in the drum 120.

Referring to FIG. 7A , the controller 200 determines that there is no object to be dried in the drum 120 because the humidity value sensed through the humidity sensor 181 is lower than the initial humidity value. In addition, the control unit 200 determines that since the difference between the driving current value of the driving motor and the threshold current value detected through the current sensor 182 is lower than the set difference value D, the object to be dried exists in the drum 120. decide not to Further, the dryer 100 determines that the water level in the pump chamber 160 corresponds to the full water level because the water level in the pump chamber 160 detected through the water level sensor 190 has reached the critical water level value. Accordingly, the control unit 200 repeats the forced drainage by the drainage pump 170 for a predetermined period to relieve the full water level in the pump chamber 160 . However, since no object to be dried exists in the drum 120, the control unit 200 does not count the number of forced drainage by the drainage pump 170. Thereafter, the control unit 200 determines that the thawing of the dryer 100 is completed as the water level in the pump chamber 160 is reduced to the low water level by the forced drainage of the drain pump 170, and the remaining water in the pump chamber 160 After the drainage pump 170 is additionally operated a predetermined number of times to discharge the condensate, the deicing mode is terminated.

FIG. 7B is a diagram explaining an ice removal mode performed in a state in which the pump chamber 160 is at a full water level and an object to be dried is present in the drum 120.

Referring to FIG. 7B , the control unit 200 determines that an object to be dried exists in the drum 120 because the humidity value sensed through the humidity sensor 181 has reached the initial humidity value. In addition, the control unit 200 determines that an object to be dried exists in the drum 120 because the difference between the driving current value of the driving motor 131 and the threshold current value detected by the current sensor 182 is greater than or equal to the set difference value. do. Further, the control unit 200 determines that the water level in the pump chamber 160 corresponds to the full water level because the water level in the pump chamber 160 detected through the water level sensor 190 has reached the critical water level value. Accordingly, the control unit 200 repeats the forced draining of the drain pump 170 for a predetermined period to resolve the full water level, and counts the number of forced draining times of the drain pump 170 . At this time, the controller 200 temporarily stops the dryer 100 when the counted number of forced drains of the drain pump 170 reaches the stop count value (eg, 3 times). Accordingly, the dryer 100 according to an embodiment prevents water leakage due to additional condensate generation and damage to the drying object due to hot air, which may occur when the deicing mode is performed while the object to be dried is accommodated in the drum 120. It can be prevented.

FIG. 7C is a diagram explaining an ice removal mode performed in a state where the pump chamber 160 is at a low water level and no object to be dried is present in the drum 120.

Referring to FIG. 7C , the control unit 200 determines that there is no object to be dried in the drum 120 because the humidity value sensed through the humidity sensor 181 is equal to or less than the initial humidity value. In addition, the control unit 200 determines that there is no object to be dried in the drum 120 because the difference between the driving current value of the driving motor 131 and the threshold current value detected through the current sensor 182 is less than or equal to the set difference value. judge In addition, the control unit 200 determines that the water level in the pump chamber 160 corresponds to the low water level because the water level in the pump chamber 160 detected by the water level sensor 190 is less than or equal to the critical water level value. Accordingly, the control unit 200 repeats the drainage by the drain pump 170 according to the basic cycle for a predetermined period. Thereafter, when the operating time of the dryer 100 elapses the basic operating time, the control unit 200 additionally operates the drain pump 170 a predetermined number of times to discharge the remaining condensate from the pump chamber 160, and then ends the deicing mode. do.

FIG. 7D is a diagram explaining an ice removal mode performed in a state where the pump chamber 160 is at a low water level and an object to be dried is present in the drum 120.

Referring to FIG. 7D , the control unit 200 determines that an object to be dried exists in the drum 120 since the humidity value sensed through the humidity sensor 181 has reached the initial humidity value. In addition, the control unit 200 determines that an object to be dried exists in the drum 120 because the difference between the driving current value of the driving motor 131 and the threshold current value detected by the current sensor 182 is greater than or equal to the set difference value. do. In addition, the control unit 200 determines that the water level in the pump chamber 160 corresponds to the low water level because the water level in the pump chamber 160 detected through the water level sensor 190 is less than or equal to the critical water level value, and the drain pump according to the basic cycle ( 170) is repeated for a predetermined period. At this time, the water level in the pump chamber 160 rises as condensed water is additionally generated by the object to be dried in the deicing mode. Accordingly, when the water level in the pump chamber 160 reaches the critical water level value, the control unit 200 repeats the forced drain with a shorter cycle than the basic cycle to resolve the full water level, and the number of forced drains of the drain pump 170 counts Thereafter, the controller 200 temporarily stops the dryer 100 when the counted number of forced drains of the drain pump 180 reaches the stop count value (eg, 3 times).

Terms used in the present disclosure are used only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, a component expressed in the singular number should be understood as a concept including a plurality of components unless the context clearly means only the singular number. As used herein, "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", and " Each of the phrases such as “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. It should be understood that the term 'and/or' as used in this disclosure encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the listed items. Terms such as 'include,' 'have,' and 'consist of' used in this disclosure are only intended to designate that the features, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in this disclosure exist, and the use of these terms is not intended to exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, components, parts or combinations thereof. Expressions such as 'first' and 'second' used in the present disclosure may modify various elements regardless of order and/or importance, and are used only to distinguish one element from another element. components are not limited.

The expression 'configured to' used in the present disclosure may be used depending on the situation, for example, 'suitable for,' 'having the ability to,' 'designed to,' 'modified to,' "made to ,' or 'capable of', etc. The term 'configured to' may not necessarily mean only 'specially designed' in terms of hardware. Instead, in some situations, 'configured to The expression 'a device' can mean that the device 'is capable of' in conjunction with other devices or parts, for example 'a device configured (or configured) to perform the phrases A, B, and C'. may be a dedicated device for performing the corresponding operation, or may mean a general-purpose device capable of performing various operations including the corresponding operation.

Meanwhile, the terms “upper side”, “lower side”, and “front and rear direction” used in the present disclosure are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

Although the foregoing description in the present disclosure has been made based on specific embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such specific embodiments, and covers various modifications, equivalents, and/or substitutes of various embodiments. It should be.

Claims

in the dryer,

a drum configured to receive an object to be dried;

at least one first sensor configured to detect the presence of the object to be dried in the drum;

a pump chamber configured to store condensate;

a drainage pump configured to discharge the condensed water from the pump chamber; and

and a control unit configured to limit the number of forced drains of the drain pump for lowering the water level in the pump chamber when the object to be dried in the drum is detected based on the signal of the at least one first sensor.
According to claim 1,

further comprising a drive motor configured to rotate the drum;

The at least one first sensor includes a current sensor configured to obtain a driving current value of the driving motor,

The controller is configured to compare the obtained driving current value with the threshold current value, and to determine whether the object to be dried exists in the drum based on the comparison result.
According to claim 2,

The control unit,

When the obtained driving current value is larger than the threshold current value by an error value or more, the dryer determines that an object to be dried exists in the drum.
According to claim 1,

The at least one first sensor includes a humidity sensor configured to obtain a humidity value in the drum;

The control unit,

The dryer configured to compare the obtained humidity value with the threshold humidity value, and to determine whether the object to be dried exists in the drum based on the comparison result.
According to claim 4,

The control unit,

When the obtained humidity value is equal to or greater than the critical humidity value, the dryer determines that an object to be dried exists in the drum.
According to claim 1,

Further comprising a second sensor configured to detect the water level in the pump chamber,

The control unit,

When it is detected that the water level in the pump chamber reaches the critical level based on the signal of the second sensor, the drain pump is driven to forcibly discharge the condensate stored in the pump chamber, and the drain pump is driven for the forced drain. Dryer that counts the number of times.
According to claim 6,

The control unit,

The dryer for stopping the driving of the drain pump for the forced drain when the counted driving number reaches the limited number of forced draining and the water level in the pump chamber is at the critical level.
According to claim 7,

Further comprising a display configured to provide status information of the dryer to a user,

The control unit,

The dryer for controlling the display so that a message guiding a drainage error is output when driving of the drain pump for forced drainage is stopped.
According to claim 6,

a blowing fan configured to form an air flow circulating the drum;

The control unit,

and driving the blower fan for a predetermined time when the water level in the pump chamber falls below the critical level.
In the control method of the dryer,

the dryer,

a drum configured to receive an object to be dried;

at least one first sensor configured to detect the object to be dried in the drum;

a pump chamber configured to store condensate;

a second sensor configured to detect a water level in the pump chamber; and

A drain pump configured to discharge the condensed water;

The method,

obtaining information for detecting an object to be dried in the drum through the at least one first sensor;

obtaining water level information of the pump chamber through the second sensor, and determining whether the water level of the pump chamber is full based on the obtained water level information of the pump chamber; and

determining whether an object to be dried exists in the drum based on information for detecting an object to be dried in the drum when the water level in the pump chamber is full; and

and limiting the number of forced drains of the drain pump for lowering the water level in the pump chamber when an object to be dried exists in the drum.
According to claim 10,

the dryer,

further comprising a drive motor configured to rotate the drum;

The at least one first sensor includes a current sensor configured to obtain a driving current value of the driving motor,

The step of determining whether or not there is an object to be dried in the drum,

A control method of a dryer for comparing the obtained drive current value with a threshold current value, and determining whether an object to be dried exists in the drum based on the comparison result.
According to claim 10,

The at least one first sensor,

a humidity sensor configured to obtain a humidity value in the drum;

The step of determining whether or not there is an object to be dried in the drum,

A control method of a dryer for comparing the obtained humidity value with a critical humidity value and determining whether an object to be dried exists in the drum based on the comparison result.
According to claim 10,

The step of limiting the number of forced drains of the drain pump,

A control method of a dryer for driving the drain pump to forcibly discharge the condensate stored in the pump chamber and counting the number of times the drain pump is driven for the forced drain.
According to claim 13,

A control method of a dryer for stopping driving of the drain pump for the forced drain when the counted driving number reaches the limited number of forced draining and the water level in the pump chamber is at a full water level.
According to claim 14,

the dryer,

Further comprising a display configured to provide status information of the dryer to a user,

A method of controlling a dryer for outputting a message guiding a drainage error to the display when driving of the drain pump for the forced drainage is stopped.