JP3324342B2 - Clothes dryer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clothes dryer for drying clothes by sending warm air into a rotating drum driven by a motor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, household clothes dryers have become widespread, and it has been demanded that clothes be dried without uneven drying regardless of the type of the object to be dried.

Conventionally, this type of clothes dryer circulates warm air into a rotating drum for drying clothes, detects exhaust temperature in the rotating drum, and detects temperature in the rotating drum and intake air temperature of the heating means. Temperature difference detecting means for detecting the temperature difference of the temperature difference, usually, when the rate of change of the temperature difference obtained by the temperature difference detecting means is equal to or more than a predetermined value, as shown in the reduced rate drying section of FIG. Generally, the remaining drying time is set to a predetermined value. In FIG. 8, a curve a indicates the detected temperature of the exhaust gas temperature detecting means, and a curve b indicates the intake air temperature.

[0004] However, when the clothes in the rotating drum are small in quantity, or when the clothes are still dry even if they have a large capacity, the temperature in the rotating drum tends to become high as shown in FIG. When the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature Tx in order to prevent the temperature from becoming high, the predetermined temperature Tx is set as shown in a period T1 in FIG.
Stop control of the heating means is performed until the temperature falls below y. In this case, since it is difficult to determine the remaining drying operation time from the reduced-rate drying state as shown in FIG. 8, the time ta at the time of occurrence of the temperature adjustment (hereinafter referred to as temperature adjustment) operation and the temperature adjustment cycle as shown in FIG. (T
It was common to set the remaining drying time by (1 + T2).

[0005]

In such a conventional clothes dryer, when the use environment temperature is high, the temperature control becomes easy to work, and even in this case, even if many clothes are put in, the clothes can be sufficiently dried. As described above, the drying operation time after the temperature control has been performed must be set long, and conversely, when the amount of clothing is small, the drying time becomes too long.

[0006] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and even if the temperature control is performed in a case where the use environment temperature is high, the amount of clothes can be detected regardless of the size of the clothes by accurately detecting the reduced-rate drying state. The purpose is to end the drying in an optimum drying time according to the degree of wetness and the degree of wetness.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rotating drum for drying clothes, blowing means for sending warm air into the rotating drum, and blowing air into the rotating drum. Heating means provided in the path, a motor for rotating the blower means or the rotary drum, an exhaust temperature detecting means for detecting an exhaust temperature from the inside of the rotary drum, and an intake temperature for detecting an intake temperature of the heating means Detecting means, the blowing means, heating means, motor, exhaust temperature detection
And control means for controlling the drying operation by controlling means and the intake air temperature detecting means or the like, the control means, the first predetermined
The exhaust gas temperature detected by the exhaust gas temperature detecting means every time
And the temperature of the intake air temperature detected by the intake air temperature detecting means.
Calculating the difference and within a second predetermined time of the temperature difference.
Is output as temperature difference data, and after the exhaust gas temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the heating means is turned on and off.
During the drying operation controlled , the output temperature difference data changes.
A predetermined delay time when the amount of
The first problem solving means is that the drying is completed by operating only Tc1 .

[0008] In addition, the control means of the first means for solving the problem is,
Control means, after the change of temperature difference data is equal to or greater than the first threshold value is smaller than the second threshold value, then the third and operation by a predetermined delay time Tc2 when equal to or less than the threshold value dried The termination is defined as a fourth problem solving means.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided:
Even when the operating environment temperature is high, during the drying operation after the temperature control is activated , that is, whether the exhaust gas temperature reaches the predetermined temperature.
La said heating means on, during the drying operation to OFF control, the
Every one predetermined time, the exhaust gas temperature detected by the exhaust gas temperature detecting means.
Temperature of intake air temperature detected by air temperature and intake air temperature detection means
Calculating the difference and within a second predetermined time of the temperature difference.
Is output as temperature difference data.
When the amount of change in the temperature difference data exceeds the first threshold
, Since the completion of the drying and driving by a predetermined delay time Tc1, if worked is temperature control after the constant-rate drying, on the temperature difference data heating means will vary in synchronization with the OFF, the moving average Since the change in the temperature difference data is detected by the value, even if the absolute value of the temperature difference data varies for each product , the change can be detected, and if the change exceeds the first threshold value.
To detect the rate-of-drying state accurately regardless of product variations , depending on the amount of clothing and the degree of wetness.
And can be completed in an optimal drying time .

Further, for each first predetermined time, the exhaust gas temperature detection
Exhaust temperature detected by sensing means and detected by intake temperature detecting means
The difference between the intake air temperature and the temperature
A second moving average value in a predetermined time difference and the temperature difference data
Output without any special circuit configuration, and can be easily realized by software processing using a one-chip microcomputer or the like.

Further, according to the second means for solving the problem, even when the use environment temperature is high, the rate-of-drying state can be accurately detected, so that the type of clothing changes and the temperature difference data changes in the rate-of-drying state. decreases, without becoming equal to or higher than the first threshold, by detecting the saturation point of the change in temperature difference data, it is possible to detect the end of exactly falling rate drying state, clothing type and clothing quantity, The drying can be completed in an optimum drying time according to the degree of wetness.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary drum 1 stores and dries a material to be dried (clothing), and circulates warm air in the rotary drum 1 by a heat exchange type double-wing fan (blower means) 2. . The heat exchange type double-wing fan 2 circulates warm air in the rotating drum 1 and simultaneously takes in air from the outside to cool the fan and dehumidifies the circulating air in the rotating drum 1.
The PTC heater (heating means) 3 is disposed in a blowing path to the rotary drum 1, that is, in a circulating air intake, and heats circulating air.

The filter 4 is provided in the air passage of the heat exchange type double-blade fan 2, that is, in the air outlet of the air in the rotary drum 1, and collects lint and the like in the circulating air.
The motor 5 drives the rotary drum 1 and the heat exchange type double-wing fan 2 to rotate. First thermistor (exhaust gas temperature detecting means)
A second thermistor (intake air temperature detecting means) 8 detects the temperature of the air before the heat is exchanged by the heat exchange type two-blade fan 2. It detects the air temperature before the air is sucked into the heater 3.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the temperature difference data smoothing means 9 generates a temperature data of the first thermistor 7 which is a periodic data string at every predetermined first time (for example, two minutes). br /> so that outputs the second moving average value in a predetermined time temperature difference of the temperature data of the data and a second thermistor 8 to the control unit 10 as the temperature difference data. The control means 10
The temperature data from the first thermistor 7 and the second thermistor 8 and the moving average value of the temperature difference data calculated by the temperature difference data smoothing means 9 are input, and the time when the temperature control is activated (first time)
At the time when the temperature of the thermistor 7 reaches Tx), and based on the time (ton) from the start of operation and the temperature difference (Tson) between the first thermistor 7 and the second thermistor 8, the amount of clothing and wetness An optimal delay time (td) is set according to the degree.

That is, during the drying operation after the exhaust gas temperature reaches the predetermined temperature, the control means 10 determines whether or not the change in the temperature difference data becomes equal to or more than the first threshold value ΔTs1 (for example, 6K). Drying is completed by operating only for the delay time of.

The control means 10 controls relays 11a and 11b connected in series to the heaters 3a and 3b of the PTC heater 3 divided into two parts, and a motor drive element 12 for driving the motor 5. While controlling the drying operation.
13 is a power switch, and 14 is a commercial frequency power supply. Further, the temperature difference data smoothing means 9 and the control means 10 can be easily realized by the one-chip microcomputer 15.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows the operation at the time of terminating the drying operation when the temperature control is performed during the drying operation. First, the operation is started in step 40, initial settings are performed in step 41, and further, n is set to 0. In step 42, the motor 5 is turned on to rotate and drive the rotary drum 1 and the heat exchange type double-blade fan 2. After a delay of 20 seconds in step 43, the relay 11a is turned on to energize the heater 3a in step 44, and after a delay of 30 seconds, the relay 11b is turned on and the heater 3b is turned on.
Turn on electricity.

In steps 45 and 46, the temperature TH1 of the first thermistor 7 and the temperature TH2 of the second thermistor 8 are changed every first predetermined time (for example, two minutes) after the start of operation.
The moving average value of the temperature difference is calculated. This calculation method will be described later. Next, in step 47, the temperature control, that is,
When the temperature TH1 of the first thermistor is constant (for example, 6
8 ° C.) or more. If there is no temperature control, it is determined in step 48 whether or not 5 hours have elapsed since the start of operation. If not, the process returns to step 45; Then, the drying operation is completed.

If there is a temperature control in step 47, step 4
At 9, the delay time td (several tens of minutes) is set, the timer 1 is cleared, and the counter is set to 0. Here, the delay time td is the time from the start of operation and the first thermistor 7
Based on the temperature difference between the temperature TH1 of the second thermistor 8 and the temperature TH2 of the second thermistor 8, it is a longer delay time corresponding to the amount of clothing and the degree of wetness.

In steps 50 and 51, the temperature TH of the first thermistor 7 is again set every first predetermined time (two minutes).
The moving average value of the temperature difference between the temperature TH2 of the first thermistor 8 and the second thermistor 8 is calculated, and this value is defined as Tan. 2 in step 50
If it is not every minute, the flow goes to step 57, and if the time measured by the timer 1 is longer than the delay time td, the flow goes to step 58 to end the drying operation. If the time measured by the timer 1 is less than the delay time td, step 50
Return to

In steps 52 to 56,
The amount of change in the moving average value of the temperature difference data for each first predetermined time (two minutes) within a second predetermined time (for example, 16 minutes, eight times in the number of moving average value calculations) is continuously changed twice. Threshold value of 1 Δ
If Ts1 (for example, 6K) or more, delay time Tc1
(Several minutes), otherwise go to step 57. In step 52, Tan represents the moving average value of the current temperature difference data, and Ta (n-8) represents the moving average value of the temperature difference data eight times before.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine for calculating a moving average value of the temperature difference data, which is called at every first predetermined time (two minutes) after the start of operation. In step 60, n is incremented. In step 61, the temperature difference between the temperature TH1 of the first thermistor 7 and the temperature TH2 of the second thermistor 8 is calculated to be Tsn. In step 62, the temperature difference data of every two minutes is calculated. The average value of the second predetermined time (for eight times) is calculated for this time and eight times before,
Let Tan and Ta (n-8) respectively. Then, the process returns in step 63.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the change over time in the temperature of each part. When the temperature control is performed during the drying operation, the temperature TH1 of the first thermistor 7 and the temperature of the second thermistor 8 until the end of the drying operation. FIG. 4 shows a change with time of TH2 and a temperature difference Ts between TH1 and TH2. Ta is the temperature difference T
represents the moving average of s. Here, ton is the time from the start of operation to the time when the temperature control is performed. Generally, when the clothes in the rotating drum 1 are dry, that is, immediately before the end of the drying operation, the heat capacity in the rotating drum 1 becomes small, Dry air is easier to warm and cool.

Therefore, the temperature T of the first thermistor 7
The overshoot of H1 from the regulated temperature Tx increases, and the temperature TH2 of the second thermistor 8 decreases.
Then, the temperature TH1 of the first thermistor 7 is Tx
When the temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold value, one of the heaters 3a and 3b is turned off, and when the temperature is equal to or less than Ty, both heaters are turned on. Since the change is larger, the change is as shown in FIG.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the temperature difference Ts after the temperature control has been performed fluctuates depending on whether the heaters 3a and 3b are turned on or off. However, since the moving average value Ta of the temperature difference Ts is a smooth curve, By detecting that the inclination has become equal to or more than a predetermined value (first threshold value), the reduced-rate drying state can be accurately detected.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The control means 10 shown in FIG. 1 controls the second threshold value ΔTs2 which is smaller than the first threshold value ΔTs1 during the drying operation after the exhaust temperature reaches the predetermined temperature.
After a more, so that the completion of the drying and driving by a predetermined delay time the next time a third threshold ΔTs3 hereinafter. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 shows that when the temperature control works during the drying operation,
This is an operation for ending the drying operation. In FIG. 6 , steps 70 to 78 are the same as steps 40 to 48 in FIG.

If there is a temperature control in step 77, step 7
It is assumed that the delay time td (several tens of minutes) is set at 9, the timer 1 is cleared, the counter is 0, and the rise is not detected. In steps 80 and 81, 2
The moving average of the temperature difference between the temperature TH1 of the first thermistor 7 and the temperature TH2 of the second thermistor 8 is calculated every minute,
This value is defined as Tan. If it is not every two minutes in step 80, the flow proceeds to step 88, and if the time measured by the timer 1 is equal to or longer than the delay time td, the flow goes to step 92 to end the drying operation. If the time measured by the timer 1 is shorter than the delay time td, the process returns to step 80.

In steps 82 to 87,
Eight times before the moving average of the temperature difference data every two minutes when the rising is not detected (16 minutes in time)
If the amount of change from the value of becomes twice or more the second threshold value ΔTs2 (for example, 4K) consecutively, the counter is initialized and the rising detection is terminated. This means that it is detected that the moving average value of the temperature difference data is increasing. If the rise detection has been completed in step 82,
In steps 89 to 94, the third threshold value ΔTs3 is that the amount of change from the value eight times before (16 minutes in terms of time) of the moving average value of the temperature difference data every two minutes is twice consecutively.
If it is equal to or less than (for example, 0K), the operation is performed for the delay time Tc2 (several minutes).

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing the change over time of the temperature of each part. In the case where the temperature control is performed during the drying operation, the temperature TH1 of the first thermistor 7 and the temperature of the second thermistor 8 until the end of the drying operation. FIG. 7 shows a change over time of TH2 and a temperature difference Ts between TH1 and TH2. Ta represents the moving average value of the temperature difference Ts. Temperature T of first thermistor 7
The characteristics of the change over time of H1 and the temperature TH2 of the second thermistor 8 are the same as those in FIG.

As can be seen from FIG. 7, even when the change in the temperature difference Ts in the reduced-rate drying state is small, once the increase is detected and the change is saturated, the reduced-rate drying state can be accurately detected.

In this embodiment, as means for smoothing the temperature difference data, a two-chip microcomputer is used.
The moving average value is calculated every minute, which is based on the temperature TH1 of the first thermistor 7 and the temperature T1 of the second thermistor 8.
It can also be easily realized by a circuit configuration for peak-holding the difference of H2 for a certain period.

Although the moving average processing is an average value of eight times of the temperature difference data every two minutes, it may be processed every one minute to make the response faster, and the data is further smoothed. For this purpose, an average value of 16 times may be used.

Although the delay time Tc2 is set to several minutes, it is detected that the change has saturated after the moving average value of the temperature difference Ts has once increased.
Tc2 = 0 may be set because the clothes may be over-dried.

Furthermore, it is detected that the change has saturated after the moving average value of the temperature difference Ts has once increased, but this is detected only when the amount of change reaches a peak and only for a predetermined delay time. You may make it drive and complete | finish.

[0040]

As described above, the present invention provides a rotating drum for drying clothes, a blowing means for sending warm air into the rotating drum, and a heating means provided in a blowing path to the rotating drum. A motor that rotationally drives the blower or the rotating drum, an exhaust temperature detector that detects an exhaust temperature from the inside of the rotary drum, an intake temperature detector that detects an intake air temperature of the heating unit, and the blower. , Heating hands
Stage, motor, exhaust temperature detecting means and intake temperature detecting means
And control means for controlling to control the drying operation and the like, wherein, for each first predetermined time, the exhaust temperature detection
The exhaust temperature detected by the detection means and the intake air temperature detection means
Calculate the temperature difference between the detected intake air temperature and
The moving average value of the temperature difference within the second predetermined time is calculated as the temperature difference data.
Output as the exhaust temperature before after reaching a predetermined temperature
The serial heating means on, during the drying operation to off control, the output
The amount of change in the applied temperature difference data is greater than or equal to the first threshold.
The drying is completed after the operation for a predetermined delay time Tc1
It is so arranged and, if the ambient temperature is high smell
Also, if you worked temperature control after the constant rate of drying, exactly the falling-rate drying state without false positives it can be detected. Also can detect the change as an absolute value of the temperature difference data varies for each product, it is possible to detect accurately falling-rate drying state regardless of variations in the product, depending on the amount and humid degree clothing
It can be finished in the optimal drying time . Also special
One-chip microcomputer without circuit configuration
It can be easily realized by software processing such as.

[0041] Further, control means, after the change of temperature difference data is equal to or greater than the first threshold value is smaller than the second threshold value,
Next, when the delay time becomes equal to or less than the third threshold value, the predetermined delay time T
Since the drying is completed by driving only c2 , even when the use environment temperature is high, the rate-decreasing drying state can be accurately detected. change is reduced, even without becoming equal to or higher than the first threshold, by detecting the saturation point of the change in temperature difference data, it is possible to detect the end of the falling rate drying state accurately, the amount of clothing types and clothing The drying can be completed in an optimum drying time according to the degree of wetness.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a clothes dryer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the clothes dryer.

[Figure 3] operation control flows chart of the same clothes dryer

[4] flows chart of the subroutine for calculating a moving average value of the temperature difference data of the clothes dryer

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing a change with time in temperature of each part of the clothes dryer.

[6] The second embodiment operation control <br/> flows chart of the clothes dryer of the present invention

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing a change with time in temperature of each part of the clothes dryer.

FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing a change with time in temperature of each part of the conventional clothes dryer.

FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram showing a temperature control operation of the clothes dryer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 rotating drum 2 heat exchange type double wing fan (blowing means) 3 PTC heater (heating means) 5 motor 7 first thermistor (exhaust temperature detecting means) 8 second thermistor (intake air temperature detecting means) 9 temperature difference data smoothing means 10 control means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-62-16798 (JP, A) JP-A-6-218196 (JP, A) JP-A-60-174195 (JP, A) JP-A-1- 159000 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 58/00-58/28

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A rotating drum for drying clothes, a blowing means for sending warm air into the rotating drum, a heating means provided in a blowing path into the rotating drum, the blowing means or the rotating drum. A motor for rotating the rotating drum, exhaust temperature detecting means for detecting an exhaust temperature from the inside of the rotating drum, intake temperature detecting means for detecting an intake air temperature of the heating means, the blowing means, the heating means, the motor, and the exhaust temperature. Detection
And control means for controlling the drying operation by controlling means and the intake air temperature detecting means or the like, the control means, the first predetermined
The exhaust gas temperature detected by the exhaust gas temperature detecting means every time
And the temperature of the intake air temperature detected by the intake air temperature detecting means.
Calculating the difference and within a second predetermined time of the temperature difference.
Is output as temperature difference data, and after the exhaust gas temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the heating means is turned on and off.
During the drying operation controlled , the output temperature difference data changes.
A predetermined delay time when the amount of
A clothes dryer that operates only at Tc1 to complete drying. Wherein the control means, after the change of temperature difference data is equal to or greater than the first threshold value is smaller than the second threshold value, a predetermined delay time the next time becomes equal to or less than the third threshold value Tc2 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein only the drying operation is performed to end the drying.