Dryer and method of drying a quilt therefor

Abstract

A method for drying a quilt in a dryer, comprising running a drying program, wherein in an early stage of the drying program, comprising a plurality of rotation periods, in more than half of the rotation periods, the dryer drum is rotated to a tumbler speed at which the centrifugal acceleration of the peripheral wall of the dryer drum is greater than the acceleration of gravity, so that the quilt is tumbled, while hot air is supplied into the dryer drum or the air in the dryer drum is heated; in a later stage of the drying program, comprising a plurality of rotation periods, in more than half of the rotation periods, the rotation speed of the dryer drum is lower than the tumbler speed. By this method, the quilt can be uniformly dried and at the same time be more fluffy. The invention also discloses a dryer capable of implementing the above method.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a dryer and a method for drying a quilt, and belongs to the technical field of household appliances.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Quilts are prone to dirt, yellowing and breeding of mites after long-term use. The humid plum rain weather in the south also makes the quilt no longer fluffy and dry. Therefore, washing and drying the quilt has become an urgent need.

[0003] However, due to the large volume of the quilt with fillings, it is a great challenge to use a dryer to dry it. For example, when the quilt is wet, the fillings become thin, and the upper and lower quilt covers are tightly attached together, and the whole quilt is in a very large sheet shape. During the rotation of the drying cylinder, it is easy to roll up and wrap some areas inside, so it is difficult to dry. As the drying process proceeds, the water content in the fillings decreases and the volume expands. The large volume of the quilt is difficult to turn over in the drying cylinder, and the hot air is also difficult to penetrate to the inside, so it is easy to cause uneven drying.

SUMMARY

[0004] An object of the present application is to provide a method for drying a quilt by a dryer, so that the quilt can be fully and uniformly dried.

[0005] Embodiments of the present application include a method for drying a quilt by a dryer, comprising:

[0006] running a drying program, wherein,

[0007] In the early stage of the drying program, a plurality of rotation periods are included, and in more than half of the rotation periods, the drying cylinder is rotated to a cylinder-adhesion rotation speed at which the centrifugal acceleration of the peripheral wall of the drying cylinder is greater than the gravitational acceleration, so that the quilt adheres to the cylinder, and hot air is supplied into the drying cylinder or the air in the drying cylinder is heated;

[0008] In the later stage of the drying program, a plurality of rotation periods are included, and in more than half of the rotation periods, the rotation speed of the drying cylinder is lower than the cylinder-adhesion rotation speed.

[0009] Wherein, the dryer refers to a machine that can provide fabric drying function, which can be a pure dryer or a machine with washing and drying functions.

[0010] Wherein, various relatively thin quilts can be dried by embodiments of the present application, especially suitable for drying quilts with more volume expansion after drying, such as down quilts and chemical fiber quilts.

[0011] The sticking speed is the speed at which the quilt sticks to the wall of the drying cylinder while exerting as little pressure on the wall as possible. Therefore, the sticking speed is significantly lower than the usual dehydration speed. The sticking speed can also not be constant, for example, it can decrease as the water content of the quilt decreases.

[0012] The early stage of the drying program uses the sticking speed to make the quilt stick to the cylinder, so that the hot air can first contact the quilt in the middle part, achieving inside-out drying, and avoiding the outside from drying first, expanding in volume, and making it more difficult for the inside to contact the hot air, resulting in uneven drying.

[0013] In the later stage of the drying program, the water content of the quilt decreases, and the quilt expands in volume. At a higher sticking speed, the quilt is pressed against the wall of the drying cylinder and is not easy to fluff up. Rotating the drying cylinder at a speed lower than the sticking speed can achieve a beating effect, making the quilt fluffy.

[0014] In some embodiments, the early stage of the drying program includes a heat dehydration stage, in which the drying cylinder rotates in a first direction at a dehydration speed. After the heat dehydration stage, a shaking step is performed, in which, in the first rotation period after the heat dehydration stage, the drying cylinder rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction at a speed lower than the sticking speed. In the heat dehydration stage, the drying cylinder rotates at a dehydration speed, so the quilt generally sticks to the cylinder wall, forming a thin sheet. After the heat dehydration stage, the quilt in the form of a thin sheet falls off the cylinder wall, and due to the rotational inertia, it is easy to form a roll, which is also referred to as a beating roll. The first rotation period of the shaking step, which is opposite to the rotation direction of the drying cylinder in the heat dehydration stage, can timely prevent the quilt from forming a beating roll and also open the beating roll that has already been formed.

[0015] In some embodiments, in the later stage of the drying program, at least one rotation period higher than the sticking speed is inserted into the rotation process of the drying cylinder at a speed lower than the sticking speed, and in the inserted rotation period, the drying cylinder rotates in the second direction. A higher speed in the opposite direction of the heat dehydration stage can open the beating roll that has already been formed, further preventing or reducing the beating roll phenomenon.

[0016] In some embodiments, in the early stage of the drying program and after the shaking step, the drying cylinder alternately rotates in the first direction and the second direction, wherein the rotation speed of the drying cylinder in the first direction is a beating speed at which the quilt forms a beating effect, and the rotation speed of the drying cylinder in the second direction is the sticking speed, wherein the beating speed is lower than the sticking speed. A lower speed in the same direction as the heat dehydration stage not only achieves a beating effect but also prevents further formation or aggravation of the beating roll phenomenon; and the sticking speed in the opposite direction of the heat dehydration stage can open the quilt that has already been formed into a roll, stick the quilt to the cylinder, and make the roll-shaped quilt rotate in the direction of opening the roll due to the inertial force when the drying cylinder stops, thereby gradually opening the formed roll.

[0017] In some embodiments, the centrifugal acceleration of the peripheral wall of the drying drum at the drum rotation speed is less than 2 times the gravitational acceleration. As mentioned above, the drum rotation speed is the rotation speed at which the quilt is attached to the peripheral wall of the drying drum but at the same time exerts the least pressure on the peripheral wall. Generally, the centrifugal acceleration of the peripheral wall of the drying drum is slightly greater than the gravitational acceleration, and thus is preferably less than 2 times the gravitational acceleration, so as to prevent the quilt from being pressed too tightly against the peripheral wall and affecting the drying and lofting effects.

[0018] In some embodiments, the drying drum is rotated alternately in the first direction and the second direction during each rotation cycle of the quilt drying program except the heat dehydration stage, and the drying drum is continuously rotated for less than 20 seconds. Continuous rotation of the drying drum in one direction tends to cause the quilt to be rolled up, and also makes it difficult for the hot air to contact all parts of the quilt. By using a smaller rotation time in one direction and increasing the frequency of rotation, the quilt is more evenly contacted by the hot air and is more thoroughly tumbled, so as to be loftier.

[0019] In the later stage of the quilt drying program, the rotation speed of the drying drum is set such that the centrifugal acceleration of the peripheral wall of the drying drum is less than the gravitational acceleration.

[0020] The above embodiments can be combined in any manner.

[0021] Embodiments of the present application also provide a drying machine comprising a control device configured to control the drying machine to dry a quilt according to the method of any of the above embodiments.

[0022] Some specific embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 A state diagram of the drying drum rotating at the drum rotation speed;

[0024] Figure 2 A state curve of the drying drum and the cooling medium in the quilt drying program;

[0025] Figure 3 A state diagram of the drying drum in the heat dehydration stage;

[0026] Figures 4A-4C A state diagram of the quilt changing in different positions to form a tumbling effect when the drying drum rotates at the tumbling rotation speed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] As Figure 1As shown, the dryer includes a drying chamber 2 and a drying drum 4 rotatably located within the drying chamber 2. The drying drum 4 and the drying chamber 2 are connected, allowing for air circulation. The drying drum 4 is axially horizontal or inclined. Several lifting ribs 6 are provided on the peripheral wall 40 of the drying drum 4. During the rotation of the drying drum 4, the lifting ribs 6 can lift the fabric inside the drum, such as a quilt 10, upwards. The dryer also includes a control device (not shown in the attached diagram) that controls various electrical components within the dryer and can run a quilt drying program according to the programmed settings.

[0028] In such Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the quilt drying process includes a preheating stage, a thermal dehydration stage, a heating stage, a main drying stage, and a cooling stage. In the figure, the first curve L1 represents the state of the cooling medium, and the second curve L2 represents the rotation state of the drying drum. Water is commonly used as the cooling medium. During the preheating, thermal dehydration, and heating stages, no cooling medium is provided; instead, hot air is supplied to the drying drum 4. Alternatively, a heating device can be directly installed in the drying chamber 2 to heat the air inside the drying drum 4. The hot air heats the quilt 10 inside the drying drum 4, causing the moisture in the quilt to evaporate. The hot air mixed with water vapor becomes humid and hot.

[0029] After entering the main drying stage, the cooling medium is turned on, and heat exchange occurs between it and the hot, humid air, causing the water vapor in the air to condense into water. In this way, the moisture in the quilt 10 is gradually dried.

[0030] In the final cooling stage, when the blanket 10 is nearly dry, the cooling medium continues to be supplied, but the supply of hot air or the heating air is stopped.

[0031] The entire quilt drying process includes multiple rotation cycles. The rotation direction of the drying drum 4 is opposite in adjacent rotation cycles. Figure 2 In the second curve L2 shown, the broken lines upward and downward, with the middle straight line L0 as the boundary, represent the rotational speeds of the drying cylinder 4 in different directions. Combined with... Figures 1 to 4C The part above the middle straight line L0 is where the drying cylinder 4 rotates along the first direction A; the part below the middle straight line L0 is where the drying cylinder 4 rotates along the second direction B, which is opposite to the first direction A.

[0032] In the early stage of the quilt drying process, for more than half of the rotation cycles, the drying drum 4 is rotated to a drum-adhering speed that makes the centrifugal acceleration of the peripheral wall 40 of the drying drum 4 greater than the gravitational acceleration, so that the quilt 10 adheres to the drum, while hot air is supplied into the drying drum 4 or the air inside the drying drum is heated.

[0033] Specifically, at the specified rotational speed, the centrifugal acceleration of the peripheral wall 40 of the drying drum 4 is less than twice the acceleration due to gravity, and is typically slightly greater than the acceleration due to gravity. In some specific embodiments, the rotational speed can be between 60 and 100 revolutions per minute.

[0034] When the drying drum 4 rotates at the drum speed, such as Figure 1 As shown, the quilt 10 is attached to the peripheral wall 40 of the drying drum 4, but the clamping force applied to the peripheral wall 40 of the drying drum 4 is as small as possible, so as to avoid the quilt 10 itself being in a compressed state.

[0035] In practice, except for the shaking step, the drying cylinder 4 can rotate at the contact speed in each rotation cycle in both directions during the preheating and heating stages. However, in the early stage of the main drying process, the drying cylinder 4 rotates at the contact speed in one direction.

[0036] In the later stages of the quilt drying process, for more than half of the rotation cycles, the rotation speed of the drying drum 4 is kept lower than the rotation speed of the drum itself, so that the centrifugal acceleration of the peripheral wall 40 of the drying drum 4 is less than the gravitational acceleration. For example, a rotation speed of 50 revolutions per minute is used at this time.

[0037] like Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the drying drum 4 can rotate at a speed lower than the contact drum speed during the early stage of the main drying process when it rotates in another direction, while at each rotation cycle in both directions during the middle stage of the main drying process, the later stage of the main drying process, and the cooling stage, the speed lower than the contact drum speed can be used.

[0038] The term "early stage" is only relative to "late stage" and does not strictly refer to the early stage of half the program's execution time.

[0039] The initial stage of a quilt drying process includes a heat dehydration phase. For example, in Figure 2 The preheating stage is immediately followed by the heat dehydration stage. During the heat dehydration stage, the drying drum 4 rotates along the first direction A at a dehydration speed. At this time, the speed is relatively high, for example, exceeding 1000 rpm, thus effectively removing water from the quilt. Figure 3 As shown, due to the very high rotation speed of the drying drum 4 during the heat dehydration stage, the quilt is centrifugally compressed into thin sheets that adhere tightly to the peripheral wall 40 of the drying drum 4. As a result, the quilt is prone to curling after heat dehydration.

[0040] Immediately following the thermal dehydration stage is the shaking and scattering step. In the shaking and scattering step, during the first rotation cycle immediately following the thermal dehydration stage, the drying drum 4 rotates at a lower rotation speed than the drum-attaching speed along a second direction B, opposite to the first direction A. This is followed by several alternating low-speed rotation cycles.

[0041] In the later stages of the quilt drying process, during the rotation of the drying drum 4 at a speed lower than the drum's rotation speed, for example... Figure 2During the main drying period and the post main drying period, at least one rotation cycle with a higher than tumbler speed is inserted, and during this inserted rotation cycle the drying tumbler is rotated in the second direction B. During this at least one rotation cycle with a higher speed, the speed of the drying tumbler 4 can for example be around 200 rpm. The purpose of this is to open up the batting and prevent the batting from rolling up during the heat dehydration phase.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the drying tumbler 4 is rotated in the first direction A during the pre main drying period, and in the second direction B during the main drying period and the post main drying period. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the drying tumbler 4 is rotated in the first direction A during the pre main drying period, and in the second direction B during the main drying period and the post main drying period.

[0043] In a specific embodiment, the batting drying program can use the tumbling speed during most of the rotation cycles in the post main drying period.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the drying tumbler 4 is rotated in the first direction A during the pre main drying period, and in the second direction B during the main drying period and the post main drying period. Figures 4A to 4C As shown in Fig. 2, when the drying tumbler 4 is rotated at a tumbling speed lower than the tumbler speed, the batting 10 is lifted at least partially by the combined action of the centrifugal force and the lifting ribs 6, and when it reaches an angle higher than the center of the drying tumbler 4, it falls down due to the insufficient centrifugal force to support it to continue rising, thus forming a tumbling effect, and making the batting more fluffy. During the tumbling process, the batting can also be fully contacted with the hot air, thus achieving a uniform drying effect.

[0045] In order to facilitate the uniform contact of the hot air and to make the batting be fully tumbled, the drying tumbler is continuously rotated for less than 20 seconds during each rotation cycle of the batting drying program except the heat dehydration phase.

[0046] The various specific embodiments described above and shown in the drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the present application. Any form of modification made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the basic technical idea of the present application is within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A method of drying a duvet in a dryer, characterized in that Comprising: running a comforter drying program, wherein, in an early stage of the comforter drying program, a plurality of rotation periods are included, in more than half of the rotation periods, the drying drum is rotated at a tumbler speed at which a centrifugal acceleration of the peripheral wall of the drying drum is greater than a gravitational acceleration, so that the comforter is tumbled, and hot air is supplied into the drying drum or the air in the drying drum is heated, so that the air in the drying drum is heated, and the comforter in the drying drum is heated by the hot air; in a late stage of the comforter drying program, a plurality of rotation periods are included, in more than half of the rotation periods, the drying drum is rotated at a speed lower than the tumbler speed; the comforter drying program includes at least a heating stage, a main drying stage and a cooling stage, the late stage of the comforter drying program includes a part of the main drying stage and the cooling stage, in the main drying stage, hot air is supplied into the drying drum or the air in the drying drum is heated, in the cooling stage, the supply of hot air is stopped or the heating of the air is stopped; in the heating stage, the drying drum is rotated at the tumbler speed in each rotation period of the two directions, in the early stage of the main drying stage, the drying drum is rotated alternately in a first direction and a second direction, a rotation speed of the drying drum in the first direction is a tumbling speed at which the comforter is tumbled, a rotation speed of the drying drum in the second direction is the tumbler speed, the tumbling speed is lower than the tumbler speed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the early stage of the comforter drying program includes a thermal dehydration stage, in the thermal dehydration stage, the drying drum is rotated in the first direction at a dehydration speed, after the thermal dehydration stage, a shaking step is performed, in the shaking step, in a first rotation period after the thermal dehydration stage, the drying drum is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction at a speed lower than the tumbler speed.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein: in the late stage of the comforter drying program, at least one rotation period higher than the tumbler speed is inserted in the rotation of the drying drum at a speed lower than the tumbler speed, and in the inserted rotation period, the drying drum is rotated in the second direction.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein: in the early stage of the comforter drying program and after the shaking step, the drying drum is rotated alternately in the first direction and the second direction, a rotation speed of the drying drum in the first direction is a tumbling speed at which the comforter is tumbled, a rotation speed of the drying drum in the second direction is the tumbler speed, the tumbling speed is lower than the tumbler speed.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein: at the tumbler speed, the centrifugal acceleration of the peripheral wall of the drying drum is less than 2 times the gravitational acceleration.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein: in each rotation period of the comforter drying program except the thermal dehydration stage, the drying drum is rotated alternately in the first direction and the second direction, and a duration of continuous rotation of the drying drum is less than 20 seconds.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein: in the late stage of the comforter drying program, the rotation speed of the drying drum is set to be less than the gravitational acceleration.

8. A dryer comprising a control device, characterized in that the control device is configured to control the dryer to dry the comforter according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 7.

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