Drier and drying system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a dryer and a drying system capable of improving the convenience of a user. The dryer includes a dryer main body having a receiving groove in which a drying target is received inside, a door provided to the dryer main body and capable of closing an opening of the receiving groove, an opening / closing detection portion detecting opening / closing of the door, a drying portion performing a drying operation, a first timer portion timing a remaining time with respect to a preset drying time, and a control portion controlling an operation of the drying portion to perform a drying process. The control portion causes the drying portion to start the drying operation when an instruction of the drying operation is received from a user and the door is in a closed posture, causes the drying operation to end to end the drying process when the remaining time expires, and causes the drying operation to stop to end the drying process when the door is opened after the drying operation starts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following disclosure relates to a dryer and a drying system. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-511448 proposes a method and apparatus for determining the drying time of a clothes dryer, which obtains the estimated drying time of the dryer based on the temperature change rate inside the drum during the drying process and displays the estimated drying time or the remaining time. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Self-service laundry facilities, such as coin-operated washing machines, are equipped with various equipment including washing machines, dryers, and washer-dryer systems.

[0004] These devices are designed for multiple users. Users can have their clothes washed and dried by inserting them into the device and paying a usage fee using cash or electronic money.

[0005] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a dryer and drying system that can be expected to improve user convenience.

[0006] A dryer according to one aspect of this disclosure includes: a dryer body having a receiving slot for receiving an object to be dried; a door disposed on the dryer body and capable of opening and closing the opening of the receiving slot; an opening / closing detection unit for detecting the opening and closing of the door; a drying unit for performing drying operation; a first timing unit for timing the remaining time relative to a preset drying time; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the drying unit to perform the drying process. The control unit, upon receiving an instruction from a user to perform the drying operation and when the door is in a closed position, causes the drying unit to start the drying operation; when the remaining time expires, it causes the drying operation to end to terminate the drying process; and when the door is opened after the drying operation has started, it causes the drying operation to stop to terminate the drying process.

[0007] Another aspect of the dryer disclosed herein includes: a dryer body having an internal receiving tank for receiving an object to be dried; a door disposed on the dryer body and capable of opening and closing the opening of the receiving tank; an opening / closing detection unit for detecting the opening and closing of the door; a drying unit for performing drying operations; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the drying unit to perform the drying process, wherein the control unit stops the drying operation to end the drying process if the door is opened after the drying operation has started.

[0008] Another aspect of the drying system disclosed herein includes: the aforementioned dryer; a management terminal for the aforementioned dryer; and a server capable of communicating with both the dryer and the management terminal. The dryer includes a notification unit for notifying various information, and the management terminal has a terminal notification unit for notifying various information. When the control unit of the dryer obtains error information during the drying operation, it sends the error information to the server, and prevents the notification unit of the dryer from notifying the error information before the drying operation ends. When the server receives the error information, it causes the terminal notification unit to display the error information.

[0009] Another aspect of the drying system disclosed herein includes: the aforementioned dryer; an operating terminal; and a server capable of communicating with both the dryer and the operating terminal. The operating terminal includes: a terminal operation unit capable of inputting a usage reservation for the dryer; and a terminal notification unit for notifying various information. When the control unit of the dryer ends the drying process, it sends information related to the end of the drying operation to the server. When the terminal operation unit inputs the usage reservation and receives the information related to the end of the drying process, the server causes the terminal notification unit to notify the dryer that it is ready for use.

[0010] Invention Effects According to this disclosure, a dryer and a drying system that are expected to improve user convenience can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure and information flow of the drying system 1.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the dryer 10.

[0013] Figure 3 This is an example of a flowchart used to illustrate the control contents of the dryer 10.

[0014] Figure 4 This is an example of a flowchart used to illustrate the control contents of the drying system 1. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the dryer 10 and drying system 1 according to this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments, and appropriate design changes can be made within the scope of the configuration of this disclosure. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are labeled with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted. Only the main parts are shown in the drawings. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the main parts and the parts related to this disclosure.

[0016] (Implementation Method 1) This embodiment relates to a dryer 10. The dryer 10 in this embodiment is a dedicated dryer that only has a drying function, but it can also be a dryer that combines drying and other functions (e.g., a washing dryer).

[0017] The dryer 10 in this embodiment is preferably a dryer 10 used in self-service laundry facilities such as coin-operated laundromats. Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration and information flow of a drying system 1 equipped with the dryer 10 of this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the dryer 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 1 The diagram shows a coin-operated laundromat 100 equipped with multiple dryers 10 (symbols 10A, 10B, and 10C in the figure). These dryers can communicate with the operating terminals 20 and the server 30 of users of the dryers 10, either via or without the network NT.

[0018] The dryer 10 includes a dryer body 41 and a door 42 located on the dryer body 41 (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0019] The basic structure of the dryer body 41 is the same as that of conventional dryers. The dryer body 41 has an internal receiving tank 43 for receiving the object to be dried (i.e., the item to be dried). The receiving tank 43 is equipped with a rotating drum, and a motor for driving the rotating drum is mounted on, for example, the back side of the receiving tank 43. The motor can also be electrically connected to the opening / closing detection unit 13 to forcibly stop the rotation of the rotating drum when the door 42 is opened. The dryer body 41 is formed, for example, of metal or synthetic resin, and is, for example, generally rectangular in shape when viewed from above.

[0020] Door 42 is located on the front side of the dryer body 41 (the side where the user is located) and can open and close the opening of the receiving tank 43. That is, the receiving tank 43 is open on the front side of the dryer body 41, and when door 42 is closed, the interior of the receiving tank 43 is sealed.

[0021] The items to be dried are not particularly limited, but textile products can be listed as an example. More specifically, items to be dried include: clothing, hats, gloves, and other garments; personal items such as shoes, bags, handkerchiefs, and towels; curtains; bedding such as blankets, towels, and duvet covers; carpets; and plush toys.

[0022] The dryer 10 includes at least a control unit 11, a drying unit 12, an opening / closing detection unit 13, and a timing unit 14 as functional units. The dryer 10 may further include a notification unit 15, an operation unit 16, a communication unit 17, a cost input unit, a storage unit 18, a temperature detection unit, etc. Various functional units are, for example, located in the dryer body 41, but some functional units may also be configured in external devices (e.g., an operation terminal 20, a server 30, and / or a management terminal 40), which can communicate with the dryer 10 via or without a network NT.

[0023] The control unit 11 performs the drying process by controlling the operation of the drying unit 12. The control unit 11 may consist of one or more computing devices (such as a CPU). The control unit 11 controls the drying unit 12, the notification unit 15, the operation unit 16, the communication unit 17, and the cost input unit by executing the program stored in the storage unit 18. In addition, the control unit 11 functions as a timing unit 14 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 18.

[0024] When the control unit 11 receives a drying operation instruction from the user and the door 42 is in a closed position, it causes the drying unit 12 to perform the drying operation. When the remaining time T1 (described later) expires, it causes the drying operation to end to terminate the drying process. When the door 42 is opened after the drying operation has started, it causes the drying operation to stop to terminate the drying process.

[0025] Here, "stopping the drying operation to end the drying process" does not necessarily mean ending the drying process immediately after stopping the drying operation; other steps may be performed between the step of stopping the drying operation and the step of ending the drying process. Furthermore, "drying process" refers to a series of processes performed from the point when one user can use the dryer 10 until the next user can use it (e.g., receiving instructions from users, starting, stopping, and ending the drying operation, information notification via the notification unit 15, and time measurement by the timing unit 14, etc.). More specifically, it is the process of causing the dryer 10 to perform actions including drying operation based on the user-selected operating mode (course) information. Details regarding the control performed by the control unit 11 will be described later.

[0026] The opening / closing detection unit 13 detects the opening and closing of the door 42. The opening / closing detection unit 13 may use a contact sensor or a non-contact sensor, for example. The detection may be continuous or intermittent. Furthermore, the posture in which the door 42 is open (the opening of the receiving groove 43 is open) is called the "open posture", and the posture in which the door 42 is closed (the opening of the receiving groove 43 is closed) is called the "closed posture".

[0027] The drying unit 12 receives instructions from the control unit 11 and performs drying operations. Drying operations refer to the action of the drying unit 12 in drying the clothes; more specifically, it involves generating dry air and supplying it to the receiving tank 43, while simultaneously rotating and driving the rotating drum within the receiving tank 43 (i.e., load operation). The drying unit 12 includes a dry air generating unit (e.g., using a heat pump) that generates dry air, and a dry air supply unit (e.g., a fan) that delivers the dry air generated by the dry air generating unit to the receiving tank 43; these are connected to the receiving tank 43 via an air circulation path.

[0028] The timing unit 14 has at least a first timing unit 14A that times the remaining time T1 relative to the preset drying time T, but preferably also has a second timing unit 14B that times the elapsed time T2 from the time the door 42 is opened.

[0029] The first timing unit 14A times the remaining time T1 relative to a preset drying time T. For example, the first timing unit 14A measures the elapsed time or execution time from the start time of the drying operation, and times the remaining time T1 relative to the preset drying time T by comparing this time with the preset drying time T. The start time of the drying operation becomes the starting time for timing the remaining time T1. The remaining time T1 is equal to the preset drying time T (T1=T) at the start time of the drying operation and decreases (countdown) as time progresses.

[0030] The preset drying time T refers to the drying time preset by, for example, the control unit 11 based on the user's paid usage fee. The dryer 10 can store a data table for determining the drying time T based on the user's paid usage fee in the storage unit 18. In this case, when the control unit 11 receives an instruction to start the drying process from the user, it uses the data table to determine (set) the drying time T corresponding to the user's paid usage fee.

[0031] The second timing unit 14B measures the elapsed time T2 from the time when the door 42 is opened. For example, when the second timing unit 14B obtains the opening information of the door 42 from the opening / closing detection unit 13 via the control unit 11, it takes that time as the time when the door 42 is opened and measures the elapsed time T2 from that time. The time when the door 42 is opened becomes the starting time for measuring the elapsed time T2. The elapsed time T2 is zero at the time when the door 42 is opened (T2=0) and increases (count-up) as time progresses.

[0032] The second timing unit 14B preferably resets the elapsed time T2 when the door 42 is closed after the measurement of elapsed time T2 has started. In this case, T2>0 after the measurement of elapsed time T2 has started, but becomes T2=0 when the door 42 is closed.

[0033] The notification unit 15 notifies various information. More specifically, the notification unit 15 notifies users of various information, such as through text, images, sound, or light. The notification unit 15 may be a display screen composed of an LCD, an OLED display, or a touch panel. The notification unit 15 may also serve as the operation unit 16. The information that the notification unit 15 can notify is not particularly limited, and may include information such as door 42 opening (also called door opening information), remaining time T1, end of drying operation (also called end information), and information related to abnormalities or malfunctions occurring in the dryer 10.

[0034] Operations unit 16 receives instructions from users, etc. Instructions from users, etc., include, for example, instructions related to the acceptance or modification of reservations, in addition to settings or changes to operating modes (e.g., high-temperature drying, medium-temperature drying, low-temperature drying). Operations unit 16 may also function as notification unit 15 or cost input unit. Instructions received by operations unit 16 from users, etc., are sent to control unit 11.

[0035] The communication unit 17 enables the dryer 10 to communicate with external devices (such as the operating terminal 20, server 30, and / or administrator terminal 40). The communication unit 17 may include, for example, an interface for communicating with external devices via wired / wireless communication lines (NTs, also known as networks), such as LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, or telephone lines. The communication unit 17 may also include interfaces related to (near-field communication) wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, IrDA, and wireless USB.

[0036] The fee payment department collects usage fees from users of the dryer 10. The fee payment department can be, for example, a coin slot or a cashless payment terminal. The fee payment department can also function as the notification department 15 and the operation department 16. Furthermore, after payment is made at the fee payment department, the control department 11 performs billing processing for the paid fee. The control department 11 can also determine, based on this billing processing, that it has received an instruction from the user to start the drying process.

[0037] The storage unit 18 is composed of storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), and ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores various programs, data, etc.

[0038] The temperature detection unit receives instructions from the control unit 11 and the like, and detects the temperature inside the containment tank 43.

[0039] Next, refer to Figures 1-3 This will provide a more detailed explanation of the control functions performed by the control unit 11. Figure 3 This is an example of a flowchart used to illustrate the control contents of the dryer 10.

[0040] When a user uses a dryer 10, for example, installed in a coin-operated laundromat 100, they first open the door 42 of the dryer 10, put the clothes into the receiving slot 43, then close the door 42 and input the desired operating mode into the operation unit 16. The control unit 11 obtains the information of the operating mode selected by the user in the operation unit 16 (step S1). The user then pays the fee (step S2). The control unit 11 performs billing processing for the paid fee and starts the drying process (step S2). The drying process refers to the process of causing the dryer 10 to perform actions including drying operation based on the information of the operating mode selected in the operation unit 16. The drying operation refers to the action of the drying unit 12 drying the clothes.

[0041] The control unit 11 causes the opening / closing detection unit 13 to detect the opening and closing of the door 42 and acquire detection information. Based on the detection information, the control unit 11 determines whether the door 42 is in an open position (step S3). If the control unit 11 determines that the door 42 is in an open position ("yes" in step S3), the control unit 11 notifies the user that the door 42 is open via the notification unit 15 (step S4). Specifically, the control unit 11 controls the notification unit 15 to notify the user that the door 42 is open. Thus, the control unit 11 preferably notifies the user that the door 42 is open via the notification unit 15 when it receives a drying operation instruction from the user and the door 42 is in an open position. This further improves user convenience. Furthermore, if the notification unit 15 notifies the user that the door 42 is open, the process returns to step S3.

[0042] On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that the door 42 is not in an open position ("No" in step S3), the control unit 11 causes the drying unit 12 to start drying operation (step S5). In other words, if the door 42 is in a closed position, the control unit 11 causes the drying unit 12 to start drying operation. At the start of drying operation, the first timing unit 14A begins timing the remaining time T1 relative to the preset drying time T (step S6). The control unit 11 can notify the user of the remaining time T1 via the notification unit 15. Figure 3 In the flowchart, the preset drying time T is set to 60 minutes.

[0043] After the drying operation begins, based on the detection information from the opening / closing detection unit 13, the control unit 11 determines whether the door 42 is in an open position (step S7). If the control unit 11 determines that the door 42 is in an open position ("yes" in step S7), the control unit 11 controls the drying unit 12 to stop the drying operation (step S8). In this example, even if the drying operation stops, the remaining time T1 counted by the first timing unit 14A does not stop. Furthermore, even if the drying operation stops, the notification unit 15 can continue to notify the user of the remaining time T1. Even if the drying operation stops, the control unit 11 maintains the operation of the air supply fan when the temperature inside the receiving tank 43 is high. In addition, the control unit 11 can also notify the user via the notification unit 15 that the door 42 has been opened when it is opened.

[0044] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 determines that the door 42 is in an open position (step S7 is "Yes"), the second timing unit 14B begins to measure (time) the elapsed time T2 from the time the door 42 was opened (step S9). After the drying operation begins, after the door 42 is opened, the timing of the remaining time T1 performed by the first timing unit 14A and the timing of the elapsed time T2 performed by the second timing unit 14B are performed simultaneously.

[0045] The control unit 11 determines whether to end the drying process based on the door 42 being opened after the start of the drying process and the elapsed time T2 from when the door 42 assumes the open posture. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether the elapsed time T2 exceeds a first time X1 (step S10). When the elapsed time T2 exceeds the first time X1 (YES in step S10), the control unit 11 preferably ends the drying process (step S15). In this way, the control unit preferably ends the drying process when the door 42 is opened after the start of the drying process and remains in the open posture with the elapsed time T2 exceeding the first time X1. The control unit 11 may cause the open / close detection unit 13 to detect the opening and closing of the door 42 at the point in time when the elapsed time T2 exceeds the first time X1, and determine whether the door is in the open posture at that point in time based on this detection information, or may cause the open / close detection unit 13 to detect the opening and closing of the door 42 continuously or intermittently, and determine whether the door is in the open posture at the point in time when the elapsed time T2 exceeds the first time X1 based on the detection information at that point in time.

[0046] In addition, there may be a case where the open posture is maintained after the start of the drying process and before the start of the drying operation (for example, a case where the open posture continues in step S4). In this case as well, similarly, when the elapsed time T2 exceeds the first time X1 and the open posture continues, the control unit 11 preferably ends the drying process.

[0047] The first time X1 is a time shorter than a preset drying time T (X1 < T), which is, for example, 15 minutes.

[0048] When the remaining time T1 expires, the control unit 11 further determines whether the elapsed time T2 exceeds a second time X2 (step S10). When the elapsed time T2 exceeds the second time X2 (YES in step S10), the control unit 11 preferably ends the drying process (step S15). In this way, the control unit 11 preferably ends the drying process when the remaining time T1 expires and the elapsed time T2 exceeds the second time X2 with the door 42 in the opened open posture (T1=0, and T2>X2). The control unit 11 may cause the open / close detection unit 13 to detect the opening and closing of the door 42 at the point in time when the remaining time T1 expires and the elapsed time T2 exceeds the second time X2, and determine whether the door is in the open posture at that point in time based on this detection information, or may cause the open / close detection unit 13 to detect the opening and closing of the door 42 continuously or intermittently, and determine whether the door is in the open posture at the point in time when the remaining time T1 expires and the elapsed time T2 exceeds the second time X2 based on the detection information at that point in time.

[0049] Preferably, even if the drying operation has not started or has stopped and the remaining time T1 has expired, the control unit 11 will not start or restart the drying operation before the elapsed time T2 obtained from the second timing unit 14B reaches the second time X2 (T1=0, and 0≤ T2≤ X2). If the elapsed time T2 exceeds the second time X2 and the open posture continues (T1=0, and T2>X2), the drying process will end without starting or restarting the drying operation.

[0050] The second time X2 is a time shorter than the preset drying time T, or it can be a time shorter than the first time X1, such as 3 minutes.

[0051] Typically, during the use of a dryer, even if there is still drying time remaining, users sometimes remove the items to be dried from the storage compartment, open the door, and place them inside. For example, in a dryer using the method described in Patent Document 1, if the door is opened during drying operation, the remaining time count stops. In facilities such as coin-operated laundromats where multiple users are expected to use the dryer, it is inconvenient for the next user who wants to use the dryer (also known as the next user) if the dryer is placed in a state where the remaining time count has stopped. After closing the dryer door and using up the remaining time, the next user cannot leave the laundry room until they put in their own items to be dried and pay the usage fee.

[0052] However, as described above, in the dryer 10 controlled by opening the door 42 after the drying process begins and ending in the open position after a time T2 has elapsed beyond the first time X1, even if the user opens the door 42 and places the dryer in use, the drying process will end after a certain time (first time X1), thus allowing the next user to use the dryer 10 smoothly. Furthermore, as described above, in the dryer 10 controlled by ending the drying process in the open position after the remaining time T1 has elapsed and a time T2 has elapsed beyond the second time X2, a buffer time (second time X2) is provided for the user currently in use, and after this time has elapsed, the next user can use the dryer 10 smoothly. Thus, the dryer 10 described above can improve the convenience for users who want to use the dryer 10 next without compromising the convenience of the user currently in use, and is therefore extremely useful.

[0053] In the case where the result is "No" in step S10, that is, for example, in the case where the remaining time T1 has not expired and the elapsed time T2 since the door 42 was opened is within a first time X1 (0<T1 and T2≤X1), or in the case where the remaining time T1 has expired but the elapsed time T2 since the door 42 was opened is within a second time X2 (T1=0 and T2≤X2), when the door 42 is closed (the result is "No" in step S11), the second timer unit 14B resets the elapsed time T2 (step S12), and the control unit 11 causes the drying operation to restart or start (step S13).

[0054] In the state where the door is in the closed posture after the drying operation is started or restarted, the drying operation is executed until the remaining time T1 expires (the result is "No" in step S14). When the remaining time T1 expires (the result is "Yes" in step S14), the control unit 11 terminates the drying operation, thereby ending the drying process (step S15). When terminating the drying operation, the control unit 11 may notify End information via the notification unit 15, or execute an anti-wrinkle operation for a prescribed period of time. In addition, after the drying operation is ended, when the door 42 is opened, the control unit 11 terminates the notification of the End information, and transitions to a state available for the next user. In this way, the control unit 11 ends a series of drying processes for the current user in use.

[0055] (Embodiment 2) The dryer 10 of the present embodiment at least includes a dryer main body 41, a door 42, a control unit 11, a drying unit 12, an open / close detection unit 13, and a timer unit 14, and the timer unit 14 includes a first timer unit 14A and a second timer unit 14B. In the case where the door 42 is opened when the remaining time T1 is within a third time X3 (T1≤X3), the control unit 11 causes the first timer unit 14A to end the timing of the remaining time T1, and in the case where the door 42 is closed when the elapsed time T2 is within a fourth time X4 (T2≤X4), causes the first timer unit 14A to newly start timing a remaining time T3 relative to a fifth time X5, and in the case where the remaining time T3 expires, causes the drying operation to end to terminate the drying process. Except for this point, the dryer 10 of the present embodiment is substantially the same as the dryer 10 of Embodiment 1, and thus descriptions of repeated contents are omitted.

[0056] When the drying operation is approaching the end, a user using the dryer sometimes opens the door of the dryer to check the drying state of the dried object in the storage tank. The dryer 10 of the present embodiment secures the check time for the user, and when the door is closed again, sets a new remaining time T3, and restarts the drying operation before the remaining time T3 expires. The dryer 10 of such a configuration can improve the convenience for the user in use.

[0057] The third time X3 is, for example, a time less than 10% of the preset drying time T, such as 1 minute.

[0058] The fourth time X4 is preferably the time that the user can confirm the dried item without compromising the convenience of the next user, such as 2 minutes.

[0059] The fifth time X5 is, for example, 3 minutes. Furthermore, the remaining time T3 relative to the fifth time X5 is equal to the fifth time X5 (T3 = X5) at the point when door 42 is closed, and decreases (countdown) over time.

[0060] The control unit 11 preferably ends the drying process when the elapsed time T2 exceeds the fourth time X4 and the door 42 is in the open position (T2>X4). Thus, for the dryer 10, even if the user takes the dried item out of the receiving tank 43 and puts it away after opening the door 42, the convenience of the next user can be avoided.

[0061] (Implementation Method 3) The dryer 10 of this embodiment includes at least a dryer body 41, a door 42, a control unit 11, a drying unit 12, and an opening / closing detection unit 13. The control unit 11 stops the drying operation when the door 42 is opened after the drying operation has started, thus ending the drying process. The dryer 10 of this embodiment is substantially the same as the dryer 10 of Embodiment 1 or 2, except that it lacks a timing unit 14; therefore, detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0062] (Implementation Method 4) This embodiment relates to a drying system 1, which includes: a dryer 10; a management terminal 40 for the dryer 10; and a server 30, which is capable of communicating with the dryer 10 and the management terminal 40 respectively.

[0063] The dryer 10 included in the drying system 1 of this embodiment is the dryer 10 involved in Embodiments 1, 2, or 3. Hereinafter, descriptions of matters already described in Embodiments 1, 2, or 3 will be appropriately omitted. Furthermore, the dryer 10 includes at least a dryer body 41, a door 42, a control unit 11, a drying unit 12, an opening / closing detection unit 13, a timing unit 14 (in the case of the dryer 10 of Embodiment 1 or 2), and a notification unit 15.

[0064] The manager of dryer 10 refers to the service provider responsible for the maintenance and management of dryer 10, or personnel with management authority over dryer 10. The manager terminal 40 is a communication terminal device that can be operated by the manager of dryer 10.

[0065] The administrator terminal 40 includes at least a terminal notification unit for disseminating various information and a terminal communication unit capable of communicating with the dryer 10 and the server 30. The terminal notification unit notifies the administrator of various information, for example, through text, images, sound, or light. The terminal notification unit may be a display screen composed of an LCD, an OLED display, or a touch panel. The terminal communication unit may include, for example, the aforementioned interfaces.

[0066] Server 30 includes at least: a server communication unit capable of communicating with dryer 10 and administrator terminal 40; and a server control unit capable of controlling the operation of dryer 10 and / or administrator terminal 40. The server communication unit includes, for example, the interface described above. The server control unit consists of one or more computing devices (CPU, etc.).

[0067] At least one of the dryer 10, the administrator terminal 40, and the server 30 preferably also includes a storage unit.

[0068] When the control unit 11 of the dryer 10 receives an error message during drying operation, it sends the error message to the server 30 and prevents the notification unit 15 of the dryer 10 from notifying the server of the error message before the drying operation ends. When the server 30 (the server control unit) receives the error message, it causes the administrator to notify the administrator of the error message via the terminal notification unit of the terminal 40.

[0069] Error messages during drying operation refer to information related to abnormalities or malfunctions occurring in the dryer 10 (also called error messages), but not to the extent that they warrant stopping the drying operation. Furthermore, error messages do not include information about the dryer 10's door being open (door open). Examples of such error messages include filter blockage and reduced drying capacity. The control unit 11 of the dryer 10 can determine whether filter blockage or reduced drying capacity has occurred based on temperature changes detected by the temperature detection unit. Additionally, examples of error messages that warrant stopping the drying operation include water leakage.

[0070] Non-urgent errors such as reduced drying capacity or clogged filters may affect the manager, but not the user of the dryer 10. However, if these errors are communicated to the user, they may cause anxiety and lead to interruption of dryer operation and subsequent notification to the manager, requiring the manager to respond each time. The drying system 1 of this embodiment addresses this problem by notifying the manager of errors even when the control unit 11 of the dryer 10 receives them during drying operation, while simultaneously maintaining normal drying operation within the dryer 10. This drying system 1 minimizes disruption to the manager's daily operations by preventing anxiety for the user of the dryer 10.

[0071] Preferably, the control unit 11 of the dryer 10 will notify the aforementioned error information via the notification unit 15 of the dryer 10 after the drying operation is completed. This notification serves as a reminder to users who will use the dryer 10 next or to personnel who will be performing maintenance on the dryer 10.

[0072] Next, refer to Figure 4 This will provide a more detailed explanation of the control functions performed by server 30 (the server control unit). Figure 4 This is an example of a flowchart used to illustrate the control contents of the drying system 1.

[0073] Figure 4 In the middle, steps S21 to S27 and Figure 3 Steps S1 to S14 are essentially the same, so the explanation is omitted.

[0074] During the drying operation, the control unit 11 acquires information from the various functional units of the dryer 10 (step S32), and based on this information, determines whether the dryer 10 has experienced any abnormality or malfunction, i.e. whether it meets the prescribed error conditions (step S33).

[0075] When the control unit 11 determines that the specified error conditions are met (i.e., the dryer 10 is malfunctioning or experiencing a problem, etc.) (step S33 is "Yes"), it sends the information (error information) to the server 30. The server control unit of the server 30 then instructs the administrator to notify the error information via the terminal notification unit of the terminal 40 (step S34). When the control unit 11 determines that the dryer 10 is malfunctioning or experiencing a problem, etc. (step S33 is "Yes"), it further determines whether the error information warrants stopping the drying operation (step S35).

[0076] In step S33, if the control unit 11 determines that no abnormality or malfunction has occurred in the dryer 10 ("No"), the control unit 11 continues the drying operation.

[0077] If the abnormal information is determined to be urgent in step S35 ("Yes"), the control unit 11 immediately stops the drying operation (step S36) and the notification unit 15 of the dryer 10 notifies the abnormal information (step S37).

[0078] If, in step S35, it is determined that the abnormal information is not urgent ("No"), the control unit 11 stores the abnormal information (in this case, an error message) in the storage unit of the dryer 10, the administrator terminal 40, or the server 30 (step S38), and continues the drying operation. The control unit 11 also prevents the notification unit 15 of the dryer 10 from notifying the error message before the drying operation ends.

[0079] For example, when the remaining time T1 expires and the drying operation ends (step S27 is "Yes"), the control unit 11 can also notify the end information via the notification unit 15 (step S28). After the drying operation ends, when the door 42 is opened (step S29 is "Yes"), the control unit 11 determines whether the aforementioned error information (also called error flag) is stored in the storage unit (step S30). If the aforementioned error information is stored (step S30 is "Yes"), the notification unit 15 of the dryer 10 notifies the error information (step S37). If the aforementioned error information is not stored in the storage unit (step S30 is "No"), the control unit 11 ends the notification of the end information and transitions to the state where the next user can use the equipment (step S31). In this way, the control unit 11 ends a series of drying processes for the user in use.

[0080] (Implementation Method 5) This embodiment relates to a drying system 1, which includes: a dryer 10; an operating terminal 20; and a server 30, which is capable of communicating with the dryer 10 and the operating terminal 20 respectively. Figure 1 This diagram also illustrates an example of the configuration and information flow of the drying system 1 in this embodiment.

[0081] The dryer 10 included in the drying system 1 of this embodiment is the dryer 10 involved in Embodiments 1, 2, or 3. Hereinafter, descriptions of matters already described in Embodiments 1, 2, or 3 will be appropriately omitted. In addition, the dryer 10 includes at least a dryer body 41, a door 42, a control unit 11, a drying unit 12, an opening / closing detection unit 13, and a timing unit 14 (in the case of the dryer 10 of Embodiment 1 or 2).

[0082] The operating terminal 20 is a user-operable communication terminal device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer.

[0083] The operating terminal 20 includes: a terminal operation unit capable of inputting usage reservations for the dryer 10; a terminal notification unit for disseminating various information; and a terminal communication unit capable of communicating with the dryer 10 and the server 30. The terminal notification unit notifies the administrator of various information through means such as text, images, sound, or light. The terminal notification unit may be a display screen composed of an LCD or OLED display, or a touch panel. The terminal communication unit may have the aforementioned interfaces.

[0084] Server 30 includes: a server communication unit capable of communicating with dryer 10 and operating terminal 20; and a server control unit capable of controlling the operation of dryer 10 and / or operating terminal 20. The server communication unit may have, for example, the interface described above. The server control unit consists of one or more computing devices (CPU, etc.). Server 30 may further include a storage unit, etc.

[0085] Users can enter the usage reservation information for the dryer 10 through the terminal operation section of the operation terminal 20.

[0086] Once the reservation is entered, the information is sent to server 30.

[0087] When the drying process ends, the control unit 11 of the dryer 10 sends information related to the end of the drying operation to the server 30. When the server 30 receives the information related to the end of the drying operation from the terminal operation unit of the operation terminal 20, it notifies the terminal notification unit of the operation terminal 20 that the dryer 10 is ready for use. The information related to the end of the drying operation indicates the status that the dryer is ready for use by the next user.

[0088] The drying system 1 of this embodiment can improve the efficiency of the dryer 10.

[0089] (Modified example) The drying system 1 described in Embodiment 4 can also have the functions of the drying system 1 described in Embodiment 5. The drying system 1 described in this example includes: a dryer 10; a management terminal 40 for the dryer 10; an operation terminal 20 that can be operated by a user; and a server 30, which can communicate with the dryer 10, the operation terminal 20 and the management terminal 40 respectively. The control unit 11 of the dryer 10 and the server control unit of the server 30 perform the control described in Embodiments 4 and 5.

[0090] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various ways without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, the various constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments can be appropriately modified. For example, one of the constituent elements shown in one embodiment can be added to the constituent elements of another embodiment, or several constituent elements shown in one embodiment can be deleted from that embodiment.

[0091] Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are provided for ease of understanding of the invention and are schematically illustrated with respect to each constituent element. The thickness, length, quantity, spacing, etc., of each constituent element shown in the drawings may sometimes differ from the actual dimensions due to drawing requirements. Additionally, the configuration of each constituent element shown in the above embodiments is an example and is not particularly limited; various modifications can certainly be made without substantially departing from the effects of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A dryer, characterized in that, include: The dryer body has an internal receiving tank for holding the items to be dried. A door is provided on the dryer body and is capable of opening and closing to seal the opening of the receiving tank; An opening / closing detection unit detects the opening and closing of the door; A drying unit that performs drying operations; a first timing unit that times the remaining time relative to a preset drying time; and The control unit controls the operation of the drying unit to perform the drying process. When the control unit receives an instruction from the user to start the drying operation and the door is in a closed position, the drying unit starts the drying operation. When the remaining time expires, the drying operation ends to conclude the drying process. If the door is opened after the drying operation has started, the drying operation stops to conclude the drying process.

2. The dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second timing unit that measures the elapsed time from the point when the door was opened. If the door is opened after the drying process begins, and the door remains in the open position for a period of time exceeding a first time, the control unit terminates the drying process.

3. The dryer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control unit terminates the drying process when the remaining time expires, the elapsed time exceeds a second time, and the door is in an open position.

4. The dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second timing unit that measures the elapsed time from the point when the door was opened. If the door is opened when the remaining time is in the third time period, the control unit causes the first timer to stop counting the remaining time. If the door is closed when the elapsed time is in the fourth time period, the control unit causes the first timer to restart counting the remaining time relative to the fifth time period. When the remaining time relative to the fifth time expires, the control unit terminates the drying operation to end the drying process.

5. The dryer according to claim 4, characterized in that, If the drying process ends when the door is in an open position after a fourth elapsed time, the drying process is terminated.

6. The dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also has a notification department for disseminating various information. When the control unit receives an instruction from the user to operate the drying system and the door is in an open position, it notifies the user via the notification unit that the door has been opened.

7. The dryer according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, When the door is closed after the second timing unit begins measuring the elapsed time, the elapsed time is reset.

8. A dryer, characterized in that, include: The dryer body has an internal receiving tank for holding the items to be dried. A door is provided on the dryer body and is capable of opening and closing to seal the opening of the receiving tank; An opening / closing detection unit detects the opening and closing of the door; The drying section, which performs the drying operation; and The control unit controls the operation of the drying unit to perform the drying process. If the door is opened after the drying operation has started, the control unit stops the drying operation to end the drying process.

9. A drying system, characterized in that, include: The dryer according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8; The dryer's management terminal; as well as The server is capable of communicating with both the dryer and the administrator via a terminal. The dryer includes a notification unit that sends out various information. The manager's terminal has a terminal notification unit that can notify various information. When the control unit of the dryer receives error information during the drying operation, it sends the error information to the server, and prevents the notification unit of the dryer from notifying the server of the error information before the drying operation ends. When the server receives the error message, it causes the terminal notification unit to notify the user of the error message.

10. The drying system according to claim 9, characterized in that, After the drying process is completed, the control unit of the dryer causes the notification unit of the dryer to notify the error information.

11. A drying system, characterized in that, include: The dryer according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8; Operating terminal; as well as The server is capable of communicating with both the dryer and the operating terminal. The operating terminal includes: a terminal operation unit capable of inputting usage reservations for the dryer; and a terminal notification unit for disseminating various information. When the drying process ends, the control unit of the dryer sends information related to the end of the drying operation to the server. When the server inputs the usage reservation into the terminal operation unit and receives information related to the end, it causes the terminal notification unit to notify the dryer that it can be used.

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