Thin film material steam generator control device for clothes dryer
By using a dual closed-loop control system and independently adjusting the heater power and water pump speed, the instability and coupling problems of the dryer steam generator control system were solved, achieving precise adjustment and improved equipment stability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-07
AI Technical Summary
The existing steam generator control system for clothes dryers is unstable, has poor robustness, and the heater and water pump are strongly coupled, resulting in low control accuracy.
A dual closed-loop control system is adopted, which adjusts the heater power and water pump speed through steam temperature sensor and water flow sensor respectively. Independent control is achieved by using thyristor and optocoupler, combined with alarm system to prevent dry burning and failure, and MCU is used for signal processing.
It enables independent and precise adjustment of steam temperature and water flow, improves system stability and robustness, extends equipment life, and avoids heater dry burning.
Smart Images
Figure CN224092193U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of thin film materials, and more specifically, to a control device for a thin film material steam generator for a clothes dryer. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, clothes dryers have become common household appliances. To improve sterilization, deodorization, and wrinkle removal effects, many clothes dryers are equipped with steam functions. Traditional clothes dryers typically have large steam generators and complex electronic control systems, requiring multiple sensors (such as water level sensors) to achieve the steam function. In existing technology, the control system usually includes a controller (MCU), heater control circuitry, and water pump control circuitry.
[0003] The drawback of existing technologies is that, for the fuzzy control modules in existing solutions, the input variable is the difference between the current temperature and the target temperature, while the output controlled objects are two physical quantities: the heater and the water pump. Both of these physical quantities affect the input variable, which leads to instability and poor robustness of the control system. Moreover, using a single input variable to control both the heater and the water pump simultaneously results in excessive coupling between the two, leading to poor control accuracy.
[0004] A control device for a steam generator made of thin film material for a clothes dryer is now provided. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The summary section of this application is intended to provide a brief overview of the concepts, which will be described in detail in the detailed description section below. This summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed technical solutions, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed technical solutions.
[0006] To address the technical problems mentioned in the background section, some embodiments of this application provide a control device for a thin-film material steam generator for a clothes dryer, comprising: a power supply circuit for converting AC power to low-voltage DC power and providing an AC zero-crossing detection signal; a steam temperature sensor for real-time monitoring of steam temperature and inputting it to a controller; a water flow sensor for detecting water flow and inputting it to the controller; a water pump motor for adjusting the water pump speed; a heater for adjusting the heater power; and a controller for implementing dual closed-loop control based on the temperature signal and the water flow signal.
[0007] The system includes a power supply circuit that converts 220V AC into low-voltage DC (5V, 12V, etc.) required for system control. It also includes an AC zero-crossing detection signal module. The zero-crossing detection signal is input into the controller and provided as a control timing signal for the heater and water pump motors.
[0008] The output section includes control circuits for the water pump motor and the thin-film heater. Both the water pump motor and the thin-film heater are controlled by silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs). The controller adjusts the power of the thin-film heater and the speed of the water pump motor based on the input steam temperature and water flow signals, thus achieving stable system operation. Through a dual closed-loop control system, an appropriate amount of water enters the thin-film heater, is heated, and converted into steam, which is then discharged through a hose connected to the rear of the thin-film heater and enters the dryer. When the water pump detects insufficient or no water flow during operation, it shuts off the heater to prevent it from burning out due to insufficient water flow. If no water flow is detected for an extended period, an alarm system will be activated, shutting down the water pump and notifying the user that the water pump may be damaged.
[0009] Furthermore, the water flow sensor includes a flow meter and a filter circuit, and the pulse signal from the flow meter is input to the controller after being filtered.
[0010] Furthermore, the water pump motor includes an optocoupler and a thyristor, and the controller drives the thyristor through the optocoupler to adjust the water pump speed.
[0011] Furthermore, the heater includes an optocoupler and a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR), and the controller drives the SCR through the optocoupler to adjust the heater power.
[0012] Furthermore, the controller employs an MCU and processes the temperature sensor signal through an analog-to-digital converter module.
[0013] Furthermore, when the water flow rate is detected to be lower than the set threshold, the controller shuts off the heater and triggers an alarm.
[0014] Furthermore, the dual closed-loop control includes a first closed loop and a second closed loop. The first closed loop adjusts the heater power based on the steam temperature signal, and the second closed loop adjusts the water pump speed based on the water flow signal.
[0015] Furthermore, it also includes an alarm system to notify the user when the water pump fails or there is no water flow.
[0016] Furthermore, the power supply circuit provides 5V and 12V DC voltages and provides timing reference signals to the controller.
[0017] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows:
[0018] 1. Adopting dual closed-loop control, it realizes independent and precise adjustment of steam temperature and water flow, improving system stability and robustness.
[0019] 2. By detecting water flow, the heater can be prevented from burning dry due to pump failure or stalling, thus extending the service life of the equipment.
[0020] 3. The circuit structure is simple and easy to implement, and it is suitable for the control requirements of thin film material steam generators. Attached Figure Description
[0021] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the application and to make other features, objects, and advantages of the application more apparent. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain the application and do not constitute an undue limitation of the application.
[0022] Furthermore, throughout the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. It should be understood that the drawings are schematic, and the elements are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0023] See the attached diagram.
[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall circuit topology of this utility model.
[0025] Figure 2 This is the signal circuit diagram for the flow meter.
[0026] Figure 3 This is a circuit diagram for a steam temperature sensor.
[0027] Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram for the water pump motor control.
[0028] Figure 5 This is the circuit diagram for the heater control. Detailed Implementation
[0029] Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While some embodiments of this disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of this disclosure. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings and embodiments of this disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure.
[0030] It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this disclosure can be combined with each other.
[0031] It should be noted that the concepts of "first" and "second" mentioned in this disclosure are used only to distinguish different devices, modules or units, and are not used to limit the order of functions performed by these devices, modules or units or their interdependencies.
[0032] It should be noted that the terms "a" and "a plurality of" used in this disclosure are illustrative rather than restrictive, and those skilled in the art should understand that, unless otherwise expressly indicated in the context, they should be understood as "one or more".
[0033] This disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0034] Reference Figure 1-5 A control device for a thin-film material steam generator for a clothes dryer includes: a power supply circuit, a steam temperature sensor, a water pump motor, a heater, and a controller. The power supply circuit converts AC power to low-voltage DC power and provides an AC zero-crossing detection signal. The steam temperature sensor monitors the steam temperature in real time and inputs the data to the controller. The water flow sensor detects the water flow rate and inputs the data to the controller. The water pump motor regulates the water pump speed. The heater regulates the heater power. The controller implements dual closed-loop control based on the temperature and water flow signals.
[0035] The system includes a power supply circuit that converts 220V AC into low-voltage DC (5V, 12V, etc.) required for system control. It also includes an AC zero-crossing detection signal module. The zero-crossing detection signal is input into the controller and provided as a control timing signal for the heater and water pump motors.
[0036] The water flow sensor includes a flow meter and a filter circuit. The pulse signal from the flow meter is filtered and then input to the controller. The water pump motor includes an optocoupler and a SCR (Silicon Controlled Rectifier). The controller drives the SCR through the optocoupler to adjust the water pump speed. The heater also includes an optocoupler and a SCR. The controller drives the SCR through the optocoupler to adjust the heater power. The controller uses an MCU (Microcontroller Unit) and processes the temperature sensor signal through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). When the water flow rate is detected to be below a set threshold, the controller shuts off the heater and triggers an alarm. The dual closed-loop control includes a first closed loop and a second closed loop. The first closed loop adjusts the heater power based on the steam temperature signal, and the second closed loop adjusts the water pump speed based on the water flow signal. An alarm system is also included to notify the user in case of pump failure or no water flow. The power supply circuit provides 5V and 12V DC voltages and provides a timing reference signal to the controller. The input signal section includes a steam temperature sensor detection circuit and a water flow sensor detection circuit. The temperature sensor input signal is converted into a digital signal by the ADC, and the controller then uses this digital signal to control the heater. The water flow sensor signal is a pulse signal. The controller calculates the water flow rate into the heater based on this pulse signal, and then controls the appropriate water flow rate by controlling the speed of the water pump motor. The heater then heats the water into steam and discharges it from the heater.
[0037] The output section includes control circuits for the water pump motor and the thin-film heater. Both the water pump motor and the thin-film heater are controlled by silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs). The controller adjusts the power of the thin-film heater and the speed of the water pump motor based on the input steam temperature and water flow signals, thus achieving stable system operation. Through a dual closed-loop control system, an appropriate amount of water enters the thin-film heater, is heated, and converted into steam, which is then discharged through a hose connected to the rear of the thin-film heater and enters the dryer. When the water pump detects insufficient or no water flow during operation, it shuts off the heater to prevent it from burning out due to insufficient water flow. If no water flow is detected for an extended period, an alarm system will be activated, shutting down the water pump and notifying the user that the water pump may be damaged.
[0038] in Figure 2 This indicates that the CN5 terminal is the terminal for connecting the flow meter. The pulse signal from the flow meter is filtered by R14 and C16 before entering the MCU, where the MCU calculates the water flow rate. Figure 3 This indicates that terminal CN14 is the connector for the temperature sensor. After voltage division, the NTC voltage signal enters the MCU, which then calculates the real-time temperature from the signal. Figure 4 CN11 indicates that it is the connector terminal of the water pump. The control signal Motor_OUT of the water pump motor passes through optocoupler U6 and then controls the opening and closing of the thyristor Q1, thereby controlling the speed of the water pump. Figure 5 CN18 indicates that it is the connector terminal for the heater. The heater's control signal Heat_OUT passes through optocoupler U7 and then controls the silicon controlled rectifier Q2, thereby controlling the heater's heating power.
[0039] The above description is merely a selection of preferred embodiments of this disclosure and an explanation of the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention involved in the embodiments of this disclosure is not limited to technical solutions formed by specific combinations of the above-described technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by arbitrary combinations of the above-described technical features or their equivalents without departing from the above-described inventive concept. For example, technical solutions formed by substituting the above-described features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in the embodiments of this disclosure.
Claims
1. A control device for a thin-film material steam generator for a clothes dryer, comprising: The power supply circuit is used to convert AC power into low-voltage DC power and provide AC zero-crossing detection signals. Its features are: The control device for the steam generator of thin film material for the dryer also includes: A steam temperature sensor is used to monitor the steam temperature in real time and input the data to the controller. A water flow sensor is used to detect water flow and input the data to the controller; Water pump motor, used to regulate the water pump speed; Heater, used to regulate heater power; The controller is used to achieve dual closed-loop control based on temperature and water flow signals.
2. The control device for a thin-film material steam generator for a clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water flow sensor includes a flow meter and a filter circuit. The pulse signal from the flow meter is filtered and then input to the controller.
3. The control device for a thin-film material steam generator for a clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water pump motor includes an optocoupler and a thyristor, and the controller drives the thyristor through the optocoupler to adjust the water pump speed.
4. The control device for a thin-film material steam generator for a clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heater includes an optocoupler and a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). The controller drives the SCR through the optocoupler to adjust the heater power.
5. The control device for a thin-film material steam generator for a clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller uses an MCU and processes temperature sensor signals through an analog-to-digital converter module.
6. The control device for a thin-film material steam generator for a clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the water flow rate is detected to be lower than the set threshold, the controller shuts off the heater and triggers an alarm.
7. The control device for a thin-film material steam generator for a clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dual closed-loop control includes a first closed loop and a second closed loop. The first closed loop adjusts the heater power based on the steam temperature signal, and the second closed loop adjusts the water pump speed based on the water flow signal.
8. The control device for a thin-film material steam generator for a clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an alarm system to notify users when the water pump fails or there is no water flow.
9. The control device for a thin-film material steam generator for a clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power supply circuit provides 5V and 12V DC voltages and provides timing reference signals to the controller.