Dryer and method for controlling same

Abstract

A dryer includes: a drum; a pair of electrodes configured to apply an electric field to an inside of the drum, and including a first electrode including a plurality of sub-electrodes and a second electrode; at least one switch configured to electrically connect the plurality of sub-electrodes to either a power supply terminal or a ground terminal; and a controller configured to control the at least one switch based on at least one of a weight of an object to be dried inside the drum, a temperature in the drum, or a humidity in the drum.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosure relates to a dryer that dries an object to be dried and a method for controlling the same.[Background Art]

[0002] In general, a dryer may dry an object to be dried by a hot air drying method. The hot air drying method removes moisture by air, heated by an indirect heating method, leading to low efficiency and long drying time.

[0003] To improve drying performance, a method using electromagnetic waves has been used in dryers. The drying method using electromagnetic waves includes a dielectric heating method that applies an electric field to an object to be dried and uses frictional heat loss generated by the vibration of molecules inside the object to be dried. The drying method using electromagnetic waves has higher drying efficiency than the existing hot air drying method, and the object to be dried is less damaged because drying is performed at a low temperature.[DISCLOSURE] [Technical Problem]

[0004] According to an aspect of the disclosure, the number of elements required for dielectric heating may be minimized by controlling an area of an electrode connected to a power supply terminal.

[0005] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a waveform of voltage amplified by an amplifier may be changed to a normal waveform by controlling an area of an electrode connected to a power supply terminal.

[0006] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a magnitude of voltage amplified by an amplifier may be maintained within a defined range by controlling an area of an electrode connected to a power supply terminal.

[0007] Technical aspects that can be achieved by the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned aspects, and other technical aspects not mentioned will be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical art to which the disclosure belongs from the following description.[Technical Solution]

[0008] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a dryer may include: a drum; a pair of electrodes configured to apply an electric field to an inside of the drum, and including a first electrode including a plurality of sub-electrodes and a second electrode; at least one switch configured to electrically connect the plurality of sub-electrodes to either a power supply terminal or a ground terminal; and a controller configured to control the at least one switch based on at least one of a weight of an object to be dried inside the drum, a temperature in the drum, or a humidity in the drum.

[0009] According to an aspect of the disclosure, in a method for controlling a dryer including a pair of electrodes, configured to apply an electric field to an inside of a drum and including a first electrode including a plurality of sub-electrodes and a second electrode, the method may include: electrically connecting each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either a power supply terminal or a ground terminal based on at least one of a weight of an object to be dried inside the drum, a temperature in the drum, or a humidity in the drum.[Advantageous Effects]

[0010] According to an aspect of the disclosure, the number of elements required for dielectric heating may be minimized.

[0011] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a waveform of voltage amplified by an amplifier may be changed to a normal waveform.

[0012] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a magnitude of voltage amplified by an amplifier may be maintained within a defined range.[DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS]

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an exterior of a dryer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a top view of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates an equivalent circuit of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a top view of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates a structure of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 illustrates an equivalent circuit of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a top view of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 illustrates a structure of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 illustrates an equivalent circuit of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a top view of an electrode portion including switches according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a top view of an electrode portion including switches according to an embodiment. FIG. 15 illustrates an example of controlling a switch or changing an inductance value of a variable inductor based on a waveform of an amplified voltage according to an embodiment. FIG. 16 illustrates an example of controlling a switch based on a magnitude of power consumed by a capacitor formed by a pair of electrodes. FIG. 17 illustrates an example of controlling a switch based on a weight of an object to be dried inside a drum, a temperature in the drum, or a humidity in the drum. FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are perspective views illustrating a dryer of a different configuration from the dryer shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating an oven including an electrode circuit according to an embodiment. FIG. 21 is a view illustrating an oven including an electrode circuit with a door open, according to an embodiment. [MODES OF THE INVENTION]

[0014] Embodiments described in the disclosure and configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples of the embodiments of the disclosure, and may be modified in various different ways at the time of filing of the present application to replace the embodiments and drawings of the disclosure.

[0015] Like reference numerals may be used for like or related elements throughout the drawings.

[0016] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more items unless the context states otherwise.

[0017] As used herein, each of the expressions "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C," may include one or all possible combinations of the items listed together with a corresponding expression among the expressions.

[0018] The expression "and / or" is interpreted to include a combination or any of associated elements.

[0019] It will be understood that the terms "first", "second", etc., may be used only to distinguish one component from other components, and are not intended to limit the corresponding component in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0020] When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being "(functionally or communicatively) coupled" or "connected" to another element (e.g., a second element), the first element may be connected to the second element, directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third element.

[0021] It will be understood that when the terms "includes," "comprises," "including," and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

[0022] When a given element is referred to as being "connected to", "coupled to", "supported by" or "in contact with" another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

[0023] It will also be understood that when one component is referred to as being "on" or "over" another component, it may be directly on the other component or intervening components may also be present.

[0024] Hereinafter, a dryer according to various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an exterior of a dryer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a dryer 1 according to an embodiment includes a main body 10 forming an exterior, and a drum 20 rotatably installed in the main body 10 and accommodating an object to be dried 9 (hereinafter also referred to as "laundry").

[0027] The main body 10 may include a base plate 11, a front cover 12, a top cover 13, and a side / rear cover 14.

[0028] The front cover 12 may be provided with an opening 12a, and the opening 12a may be opened and closed by a door 15 rotatably installed on the front cover 12. The drum 20 in a cylindrical shape with an open front may also be opened and closed by the door 15.

[0029] The front cover 12 may be provided on an upper portion thereof with input portions 30a and 30b for receiving a control command from a user, and a display 35 for displaying various information related to the operation of the dryer 1 or displaying a screen that guides user input.

[0030] The input portions 30a and 30b may be provided in the form of a jog shuttle or a dial such that the user may input a control command by holding and turning, or pressing the input portion 30a, or may be provided in the form of a touch pad or button such that the user may input a control command by touching or pressing the input portion 30b.

[0031] The display 35 may be implemented by various display panels, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED), an organic LED (OLED), a quantum dot LED (QLED), and the like, and may be implemented as a touch screen having a touch pad formed on a front side thereof.

[0032] A front panel 21 having a laundry inlet 21a may be disposed on the front side of the drum 20, and the laundry 9 may be loaded into the drum 20 through the laundry inlet 21a. In addition, the rear side of the drum 20 may be closed by a rear panel 22 provided with an air outlet 22a through which hot dry air is discharged.

[0033] The front panel 21 of the drum 20 may be provided with an outlet 21b through which air used to dry the laundry 9 is discharged, and a filter 23 for collecting foreign substances generated from the laundry 9 may be installed in the outlet 21b.

[0034] That is, air discharged to the drum 20 through the air outlet 22a may be used to dry the laundry 9, and then be introduced into a duct 50 from the drum 20 through the air outlet 22a. Air used to dry the laundry 9 may be introduced into the duct 50 and may be converted to hot and dry air after passing through a heat pump 150, and then be discharged again to the drum 20 through the air outlet 22a.

[0035] In addition, at least one lifter may be formed in a protrusion manner on an inner wall of the drum 20 to assist in tumbling of the laundry 9.

[0036] The drum 20 may be rotated by power provided from a drum motor 25. The drum 20 may be connected to the drum motor 25 by a belt 26, and the belt 26 may transmit power provided from the drum motor 25 to the drum 20.

[0037] The dryer 1 may include a fan 40 circulating air inside the drum 20. The fan 40 may draw in air from inside the drum 20 and discharge the air through the duct 50. By the operation of the fan 40, air inside the drum 20 may circulate between the drum 20 and the duct 50.

[0038] The heat pump 150 may be provided on the duct 50 through which air inside the drum 20 may circulate. The heat pump 150 may include a compressor (not shown), a condenser 152, an evaporator 154, and an expander (not shown).

[0039] The compressor may compress a gaseous refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and discharge the compressed high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. For example, the compressor may compress the refrigerant through a reciprocating motion of a piston or a rotation motion of a rotator. The discharged refrigerant is delivered to the condenser 152.

[0040] The condenser 152 may condense the compressed gaseous refrigerant into a liquid while discharging heat to surroundings. The condenser 152 may be provided on the duct 50, and the heat generated in the process of condensing the refrigerant may allow air to be heated. The heated air may be supplied to the drum 20. The liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser 152 may be delivered to an expander (not shown).

[0041] The expander may expand the high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser 152 into a low-pressure liquid refrigerant. Specifically, the expander may include a capillary tube and an electronic expansion valve, of which the opening degree may be varied by an electric signal, for adjusting the pressure of the liquid refrigerant.

[0042] The evaporator 154 may evaporate the liquid refrigerant expanded in the expander. As a result, the evaporator may return the low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant to the compressor.

[0043] The evaporator 154 may absorb heat from the surroundings through an evaporation process in which a low-pressure liquid refrigerant is converted into a gaseous refrigerant. The evaporator 154 may be provided on the duct 50 so that air passing through the evaporator 154 may be cooled in the evaporation process. The evaporator 154 may cause the ambient air to be cooled, and when the temperature of the ambient air becomes lower than the dew point, the air around the evaporator 154 may be condensed. The water condensed in the evaporator 154 may be collected by a water trap provided at a lower side of the evaporator 154. The water collected in the water trap may be moved to a separate storage or drained to the outside of the dryer 1.

[0044] Due to the condensation occurring around the evaporator 154, the absolute humidity of air passing through the evaporator 154 may be lowered. In other words, the amount of water vapor included in the air passing through the evaporator 154 may decrease. By using the condensation occurring around the evaporator 154, the dryer 1 may reduce the amount of water vapor contained in the air inside the drum 20, and may dry the laundry 9.

[0045] The evaporator 154 may be located upstream of the condenser 152 based on a flow of air by the fan 40. The air circulating by the fan 40 may be dried (water vapor is condensed) by the evaporator 154 while passing through the evaporator 154, and then be heated by the condenser 152 while passing through the condenser 152.

[0046] Meanwhile, the duct 50 may be provided with a heater 160 for heating air while assisting the condenser 152. The heater 160 may be located downstream of the condenser 152 based on a flow of air by the fan 40.

[0047] For example, air heated in the condenser 152 of the heat pump 150 may be additionally heated by the heater 160, and thus the air in the duct 50 may be sufficiently heated.

[0048] By the operation of the heater 160 assisting the condenser 152, the internal temperature of the drum 20 may rise more rapidly, and the time required to dry the laundry 9 may be shortened.

[0049] An electrode circuit 400 may include a pair of electrodes. The pair of electrodes may include a first electrode 432 (see FIG. 3) and a second electrode 433 (see FIG. 3).

[0050] The first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433 may be implemented using a predetermined conductor plate, and the predetermined conductor plate may include, for example, a predetermined metal plate. In this case, the metal plate may be made of zinc, aluminum, magnesium, or an alloy thereof. In addition, the predetermined conductor plate may be implemented using a ceramic material or the like through which current may flow.

[0051] The first electrode 432 may be disposed above the drum 20, and the second electrode 433 may be disposed below the drum 20. The first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433 may be spaced apart from each other, with the drum 20 therebetween to form an electric field inside the drum 20. The electric field formed inside the drum 20 may include a high-frequency electric field. The frequency range of the high-frequency electric field may be variously defined according to the design. For example, the frequency range may be in a range from several MHz to several GHz.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0053] The dryer 1 may include a sensor portion 200, a controller 300, and the electrode circuit 400.

[0054] The sensor portion 200 may include a temperature sensor 210, a humidity sensor 220, a weight sensor 230, and / or a power sensor 240.

[0055] The temperature sensor 210 according to an embodiment may be installed inside the drum 20 to measure a temperature inside the drum 20, or may be installed in the duct 50 to measure a temperature of air flowing into the drum 20 or air discharged from the drum 20.

[0056] The temperature sensor 210 may be implemented as a contact type temperature sensor or a non-contact type temperature sensor. Specifically, the temperature sensor may include at least one of a resistance temperature detector (RTD) temperature sensor that uses a change in electrical resistance of metal according to a temperature change, a thermistor temperature sensor that uses a change in resistance of a semiconductor according to a temperature change, a thermocouple sensor that uses electromotive force generated across a junction of two different metal wires according to a temperature change, or an IC temperature sensor that uses a voltage across a transistor or a current-voltage characteristic of a P-N junction that changes according to a temperature, and may include an optical fiber sensor according to an embodiment. However, the example of the temperature sensor is not limited thereto, and may vary within a scope that may be easily conceived by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0057] The humidity sensor 220 according to an embodiment may be installed inside the drum 20 to measure a moisture content of the object to be dried 9, or may be installed in the duct 50 to measure a humidity of air flowing into the drum 20 or air discharged from the drum 20.

[0058] The weight sensor 230 according to an embodiment may measure a weight of the object to be dried 9. The weight sensor 230 may include a load cell that detects a current change according to the weight of an object.

[0059] The power sensor 240 may measure a voltage and / or current which is output from each component of the electrode circuit 400 or applied to each component of the electrode circuit 400, according to various embodiments.

[0060] The power sensor 240 according to an embodiment may measure a waveform of voltage output by a power supply 410, and may measure a waveform of voltage amplified by an amplifier 420.

[0061] The power sensor 240 according to an embodiment may measure a magnitude of the voltage output by the power supply 410, and may measure a magnitude of the voltage amplified by the amplifier 420.

[0062] The power sensor 240 according to an embodiment may measure a magnitude of the current amplified by the amplifier 420.

[0063] The power sensor 240 according to an embodiment may measure a voltage and / or current applied to an electrode portion 430.

[0064] For example, the power sensor 240 may measure a voltage and / or current applied to the capacitor formed by the pair of electrodes. The capacitor will be described below.

[0065] Meanwhile, examples of sensors are not limited to the examples described above, and may vary within a scope that may be easily conceived by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0066] The controller 300 may include a processor 310 and / or a memory 320.

[0067] The processor 310 may control an operation of the electrode circuit 400 based on the sensor information measured by the sensor portion 200.

[0068] In an embodiment, the processor 310 may control the operation of the electrode circuit 400 based on information about a temperature inside the drum 20, information about a temperature of air flowing into the drum 20, and / or information about a temperature of air discharged from the drum 20. Here, the temperatures are measured by the temperature sensor 210.

[0069] In an embodiment, the processor 310 may control the operation of the electrode circuit 400 based on information about a moisture content of the object to be dried 9, information about a humidity of air flowing into the drum 20, and / or information about a humidity of air discharged from the drum 20. Here, the moisture content and humidity are measured by the humidity sensor 220.

[0070] In an embodiment, the processor 310 may control the operation of the electrode circuit 400 based on weight information of the object to be dried 9 measured by the weight sensor 230.

[0071] In an embodiment, the processor 310 may control the operation of the electrode circuit 400 based on voltage and / or current information measured by the power sensor 240.

[0072] For example, the processor 310 may control the operation of the electrode circuit 400 based on voltage waveform information measured by the power sensor 240.

[0073] In another example, the processor 310 may determine the power consumed by each component of the electrode circuit 400 based on the voltage and current information measured by the power sensor 240, and may control the operation of the electrode circuit 400 based on the determined power.

[0074] The power consumed by each component of the electrode circuit 400 may be determined based on information about the voltage and current applied to each component and measured by the power sensor 240.

[0075] The memory 320 may store various data, programs, or applications for driving and controlling the dryer 1. For example, the memory 320 may store information collected from the sensor portion 200, and may store information about a method of controlling the electrode circuit 400 based on the information collected from the sensor portion 200. The processor 310 may control the operation of the electrode circuit 400 based on the information stored in the memory 320.

[0076] The memory 320 may be implemented as a non-volatile memory device, such as a read only memory (ROM), a programmable read only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, or a volatile memory device, such as a random access memory (RAM), or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

[0077] The electrode circuit 400 may include the power supply 410, the amplifier 420, and the electrode portion 430.

[0078] In an embodiment, the power supply 410 may output the voltage and current to be applied to the electrode portion 430. For example, the power supply 410 may output the voltage and current to be applied to the electrode portion 430 based on a control signal output by the processor 310.

[0079] In an embodiment, the amplifier 420 may amplify the voltage and / or current output by the power supply 410. The amplifier 420 may be implemented as various amplifiers, such as a Class-E amplifier, a Class-EF2 amplifier, and the like. For example, the amplifier 420 may amplify the voltage and / or current output by the power supply 410 such that the voltage gain, current gain, frequency, and the like, have defined values based on a control signal output by the processor 310.

[0080] In an embodiment, the amplifier 420 may transmit the amplified voltage and / or current to the electrode portion 430. The amplified voltage and / or current may be a high-frequency voltage and / or current corresponding to a radio frequency (RF) band.

[0081] The electrode portion 430 may include a power supply terminal 431, the first electrode 432, the second electrode 433, a ground terminal 434, a switch 450, and / or a variable inductor 436. The power supply terminal 431 may also be referred to as a feeding terminal in that the power supply terminal 431 transmits voltage to the electrode portion 430.

[0082] In an embodiment, the power supply terminal 431 may transmit the voltage amplified by the amplifier 420 to the first electrode 432. As a result, the voltage amplified by the amplifier 420 may be applied to the first electrode 432 through the power supply terminal 431.

[0083] In an embodiment, the switch 450 may electrically connect the first electrode 432 to either the power supply terminal 431 or the ground terminal 434 based on a control signal of the processor 310. The switch 450 may include active elements (e.g., diodes, transistors), and may be turned on / off.

[0084] For example, the switch 450 may be turned on / off based on the control signal of the processor 310 to electrically connect the first electrode 432 to either the power supply terminal 431 or the ground terminal 434.

[0085] In an embodiment, the variable inductor 436 may change its inductance value based on a control signal of the processor 310. When the inductance value of the variable inductor 436 is changed, a reactance and a resonance frequency of the electrode circuit 400 may be changed.

[0086] FIG. 4 is a top view of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates an equivalent circuit of an electrode portion according to an embodiment.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 4, the first electrode 432 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431, and voltage may be applied to the first electrode 432.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 5, the variable inductor 436 may be connected to the second electrode 433 and the ground terminal 434.

[0089] When the first electrode 432 is electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 and voltage is applied to the first electrode 432, an electric field E1 may be formed in the region between the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433.

[0090] The first electrode 432 and / or the second electrode 433 may function as the positive and / or negative electrodes of the capacitor 437, thereby forming the capacitor 437 (see FIG. 6).

[0091] The moisture contained in the object to be dried 9 may function as a dielectric of the capacitor 437 formed by the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433. Accordingly, the formation of the electric field E may cause polar molecules, such as water molecules, inside the laundry (object to be dried 9) exposed to the electric field E to vibrate, and heat may be generated due to the vibration of the polar molecules. Because water generally has a high dielectric constant, the moisture contained in the laundry 9 exposed to the electric field E may be heated and evaporated relatively quickly. Accordingly, the moisture of the object to be dried 9 may be removed.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 6, an equivalent circuit 500 of the electrode portion 430 may include the power supply terminal 431, the capacitor 437 having a capacitance value, a resistor 438 having a resistance value, the variable inductor 436, and the ground terminal 434.

[0093] The resistor 438 may be formed by an internal resistance of the electrode portion 430, and may be formed by an obstruction of electrical flow generated by the object to be dried 9.

[0094] A resistance value R 0 of the resistor 438 may be determined by the weight of the object to be dried 9, the moisture content of the object to be dried 9, the humidity of the air inside the drum 20, the temperature of the object to be dried 9, the temperature of the air inside the drum 20, and the like.

[0095] A capacitance C 0 of the capacitor 437 may be proportional to an area of the first electrode 432, inversely proportional to a distance between the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433, and proportional to the moisture content contained in the object to be dried 9. An equivalent resistance viewed from the power supply terminal 431 of the equivalent circuit 500 of the electrode portion 430 may have a first equivalent resistance value R TH1 .

[0096] FIG. 7 is a top view of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates a structure of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 illustrates an equivalent circuit of an electrode portion according to an embodiment.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 7, the first electrode 432 may include a first region 60, a second region 61, a third region 62, and a fourth region 63. The first region 60, the second region 61, the third region 62, and the fourth region 63 may all have the same area. In the embodiment, "having the same value" may include not only the case where the values are exactly the same, but also the case where the values are within a defined error range.

[0098] The first electrode 432 may include a plurality of sub-electrodes 440, and the plurality of sub-electrodes 440 may include a first sub-electrode 441 and a second sub-electrode 442. The first sub-electrode 441 may be formed in the first region 60 and the second region 61 of the first electrode 432, and the second sub-electrode 442 may be formed in the third region 62 and the fourth region 63 of the first electrode 432.

[0099] The first sub-electrode 441 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431, and thus voltage may be applied to the first sub-electrode 441. The second sub-electrode 442 may be electrically connected to the ground terminal 434 to be grounded.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 8, the variable inductor 436 may be connected to a common terminal P of the second electrode 433. When the first sub-electrode 441 is electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 and voltage is applied to the first sub-electrode 441, an electric field E2 may be formed in the region between the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 9, the first sub-electrode 441 of the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433 form the capacitor 437, and the second sub-electrode 442 of the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433 form the capacitor 437. That is, the second electrode 433 may function as a common electrode to form a plurality of capacitors 437 together with the plurality of sub-electrodes 440.

[0102] An equivalent resistance, viewed from the power supply terminal 431 of an equivalent circuit 501 of the electrode portion 430, may have a second equivalent resistance value R TH2 .

[0103] Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, the second equivalent resistance value R TH2 may be greater than the first equivalent resistance value R TH1 . Specifically, the equivalent resistance value R TH2 when voltage is applied to the first sub-electrode 441 formed in the first region 60 and the second region 61 of the first electrode 432 may be greater than the equivalent resistance value R TH1 when voltage is applied to the entire first electrode 432.

[0104] The equivalent resistance value R TH viewed from the power supply terminal 431 of the electrode portion 430 according to an embodiment may be defined by Equation 2 below. R TH = A 1 + A 2 A 1 2 × R 0

[0105] Here, A1 is the area of the first electrode 432 connected to the ground terminal 434, A2 is the area of the first electrode 432 connected to the power supply terminal 431, and R 0 is the resistance value when the entire first electrode 432 is connected to the power supply terminal 431. Accordingly, in a case where the areas of the first sub-electrode 441 and the second sub-electrode 442 are the same, the second equivalent resistance value R TH2 may be 4 times the first equivalent resistance value R TH1 .

[0106] FIG. 10 is a top view of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 illustrates a structure of an electrode portion according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 illustrates an equivalent circuit of an electrode portion according to an embodiment.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 10, the first sub-electrode 441 may be formed in the first region 60 of the first electrode 432, and the second sub-electrode 442 may be formed in the second region 61, the third region 62, and the fourth region 63.

[0108] The first sub-electrode 441 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431, and thus voltage may be applied to the first sub-electrode 441, and the second sub-electrode 442 may be electrically connected to the ground terminal 434 to be grounded.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 11, when the first sub-electrode 441 is electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 and voltage is applied to the first sub-electrode 441, an electric field E3 may be formed in the region between the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 12, an equivalent resistance, viewed from the power supply terminal 431 of an equivalent circuit 502 of the electrode portion 430, may have a third equivalent resistance value R TH3 .

[0111] Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 9, and FIG. 12, the third equivalent resistance value R TH3 may be greater than the second equivalent resistance value R TH2 and the first equivalent resistance value R TH1 . Specifically, the equivalent resistance value R TH , viewed from the power supply terminal 431 of the electrode portion 430 when voltage is applied to the first sub-electrode 441 formed in the first region 60 of the first electrode 432, may be greater than the equivalent resistance value when voltage is applied to the first electrode 432 or when voltage is applied to the first sub-electrode 441 formed in the first region 60 and the second region 61 of the first electrode 432.

[0112] According to the disclosure, by controlling the area of the first electrode 432 connected to the power supply terminal 431, the resistance value of the electrode portion 430 may be controlled.

[0113] FIG. 13 is a top view of an electrode portion including switches according to an embodiment.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 13, the first electrode 432 may include the first sub-electrode 441, the second sub-electrode 442, and / or a third sub-electrode 443.

[0115] The first sub-electrode 441 may be formed in the first region 60, and may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431, and thus voltage may be applied. A plurality of second sub-electrodes 442 may be provided, and may be formed in the second region 61 and the third region 62 adjacent to the first sub-electrode 441, respectively. The third sub-electrode 443 may be formed in the fourth region 63 adjacent to the second region 61 and / or the third region 62.

[0116] At least one switch 450 may electrically connect the plurality of sub-electrodes 440 to either the power supply terminal 431 or the ground terminal 434. The at least one switch 450 may include a first switch 451, a second switch 452, a third switch 453, a fourth switch 454, and / or a fifth switch 455.

[0117] The first sub-electrode 441 and the second sub-electrode 442a formed in the second region 61 may be electrically connected through the first switch 451. The first sub-electrode 441 and the second sub-electrode 442b formed in the third region 62 may be electrically connected through the second switch 452. The second sub-electrode 442a formed in the second region 61 and the third sub-electrode 443 formed in the fourth region 63 may be electrically connected through the third switch 453. The second sub-electrode 442b formed in the third region 62 and the third sub-electrode 443 formed in the fourth region 63 may be electrically connected through the fourth switch 454. The third sub-electrode 443 formed in the fourth region 63 and the ground terminal 434 may be electrically connected through the fifth switch 455.

[0118] The second sub-electrode 442 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 through the switch 450 to be supplied with voltage.

[0119] For example, when the first switch 451 is turned on, the second sub-electrode 442a formed in the second region 61 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 through the first sub-electrode 441 to be supplied with voltage. When the second switch 452 is turned on, the second sub-electrode 442b formed in the third region 62 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 through the first sub-electrode 441 to be supplied with voltage.

[0120] The third sub-electrode 443 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 through the switch 450 to be supplied with voltage.

[0121] For example, when the first switch 451 and the third switch 453 are turned on, the third sub-electrode 443 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 through the first sub-electrode 441 and the second sub-electrode 442a formed in the second region 61 to be supplied with voltage. In this case, voltage may be applied to the first sub-electrode 441, the second sub-electrode 442a formed in the second region 61, and the third sub-electrode 443.

[0122] In another example, when the second switch 452 and the fourth switch 454 are turned on, the third sub-electrode 443 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 through the first sub-electrode 441 and the second sub-electrode 442b formed in the third region 62 to be supplied with voltage.

[0123] In this case, voltage may be applied to the first sub-electrode 441, the second sub-electrode 442b formed in the third region 62, and the third sub-electrode 443.

[0124] In still another example, when the first switch 451 and the second switch 452 are turned on, and the third switch 453 or the fourth switch 454 is turned on, the third sub-electrode 443 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 through the first sub-electrode 441 and the second sub-electrodes 442a and 442b to be supplied with voltage. In this case, voltage may be applied to the first sub-electrode 441, the second sub-electrode 442a formed in the second region 61, the second sub-electrode 442b formed in the third region 62, and the third sub-electrode 443.

[0125] The third sub-electrode 443 may be electrically connected to the ground terminal 434 through the switch 450 to be grounded. For example, the third sub-electrode 443 may be electrically grounded to the ground terminal 434 through the fifth switch 455.

[0126] The second sub-electrode 442 may be electrically connected to the ground terminal 434 through the switch 450 to be grounded.

[0127] For example, when the fifth switch 455 and the third switch 453 are turned on, the second sub-electrode 442a formed in the second region 61 may be electrically connected to the ground terminal 434 through the third sub-electrode 443 to be grounded. In this case, the second sub-electrode 442a formed in the second region 61 and the third sub-electrode 443 may be grounded.

[0128] In another example, when the fifth switch 455 and the fourth switch 454 are turned on, the second sub-electrode 442b formed in the third region 62 may be electrically connected to the ground terminal 434 through the third sub-electrode 443 to be grounded. In this case, the second sub-electrode 442b formed in the third region 62 and the third sub-electrode 443 may be grounded.

[0129] In still another example, when the fifth switch 455, the fourth switch 454, and the third switch 453 are turned on, the second sub-electrode 442a formed in the second region 61 and the second sub-electrode 442b formed in the third region 62 may be electrically connected to the ground terminal 434 through the third sub-electrode 443 to be grounded. In this case, the second sub-electrode 442a formed in the second region 61, the second sub-electrode 442b formed in the third region 62, and the third sub-electrode 443 may be grounded.

[0130] FIG. 14 is a top view of an electrode portion including switches according to an embodiment.

[0131] The first electrode 432 may include a plurality of sub-electrodes 440, and the plurality of sub-electrodes 440 may include the first sub-electrode 441 formed in the first region 60, the second sub-electrode 442 formed in the second region 61, the third sub-electrode 443 formed in the third region 62, and / or a fourth sub-electrode 444 formed in the fourth region 63.

[0132] The second sub-electrode 442 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 through the first switch 451. For example, when the first switch 451 is turned on, the second sub-electrode 442 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 through the first sub-electrode 441 to be supplied with voltage. In this case, voltage may be applied to the first sub-electrode 441 and the second sub-electrode 442.

[0133] The third sub-electrode 443 may be electrically connected to the second sub-electrode 442 through the second switch 452. For example, when the second switch 452 is turned on, the third sub-electrode 443 may be electrically connected to the second sub-electrode 442.

[0134] The third sub-electrode 443 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 through the first switch 451 and the second switch 452. For example, when the first switch 451 and the second switch 452 are turned on, the third sub-electrode 443 may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal 431 through the first sub-electrode 441 and the second sub-electrode 442 to be supplied with voltage. In this case, voltage may be applied to the first sub-electrode 441, the second sub-electrode 442, and the third sub-electrode 443.

[0135] The fourth sub-electrode 444 may be electrically connected to the ground terminal 434 to be grounded.

[0136] The third sub-electrode 443 may be electrically connected to the ground terminal 434 through the third switch 453. For example, when the third switch 453 is turned on, the third sub-electrode 443 may be electrically connected to the ground terminal 434 through the fourth sub-electrode 444 to be grounded. In this case, the third sub-electrode 443 and the fourth sub-electrode 444 may be grounded.

[0137] The second sub-electrode 442 may be electrically connected to the ground terminal 434 through the second switch 452 and the third switch 453. For example, when the second switch 452 and the third switch 453 are turned on, the second sub-electrode 442 may be connected to the ground terminal 434 through the third sub-electrode 443 and the fourth sub-electrode 444 to be grounded. In this case, the second sub-electrode 442, the third sub-electrode 443, and the fourth sub-electrode 444 may be grounded.

[0138] According to the disclosure, the controller 300 may control the at least one switch 450 to electrically connect the plurality of sub-electrodes 440 of the first electrode 432 to the power supply terminal 431 and / or the ground terminal 434, thereby controlling the area of the first electrode 432 to which voltage is applied through the power supply terminal 431.

[0139] FIG. 15 illustrates an example of controlling a switch or changing an inductance value of a variable inductor based on a waveform of an amplified voltage according to an embodiment.

[0140] The controller 300 may control the at least one switch 450 based on the waveform of the voltage amplified by the amplifier 420.

[0141] In an embodiment, the controller 300 may control the at least one switch 450 based on the distortion of the waveform of the amplified voltage.

[0142] In a case where the voltage output by the power supply 410 is amplified by the amplifier 420, amplified voltage waveforms 701, 702, and 703 may have a distorted waveform compared to a normal voltage waveform 700. The normal voltage waveform 700 may refer to the waveform of a fundamental wave (e.g., a sine wave), and the amplified voltage waveforms 701, 702, and 703 may refer to the waveform of a non-sinusoidal wave synthesized from a fundamental wave and harmonics.

[0143] For example, referring to FIG. 13 and FIG. 15, the controller 300 may turn on / off the switch 450 in a case where the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the amplified first voltage waveform 701 exceeds a defined range.

[0144] The total harmonic distortion may be defined by Equation 1 below. THD = ∑ n = 2 ∞ V n 2 V 1 × 100 %

[0145] Here, V1 is the effective value of the fundamental wave voltage, Vn is the effective value of the n th< harmonic voltage, and n is an integer.

[0146] Specifically, in a case where the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the amplified first voltage waveform 701 exceeds the defined range, the controller 300 may turn off the first switch 451 and the second switch 452 to block the electrical connection between the second sub-electrode 442 and the first sub-electrode 441. As a result, the area of the first electrode 432 to which voltage is applied may decrease.

[0147] The controller 300 may change an inductance value of the variable inductor 436 based on the waveform of the amplified voltage.

[0148] In an embodiment, the controller 300 may change the inductance value of the variable inductor 436 based on the distortion of the waveform of the amplified voltage.

[0149] For example, the controller 300 may decrease the inductance value of the variable inductor 436 in a case where the THD of the amplified second voltage waveform 702 exceeds a defined range, and the controller 300 may increase the inductance value of the variable inductor 436 in a case where the THD of the amplified third voltage waveform 703 exceeds a defined range.

[0150] FIG. 16 illustrates an example of controlling a switch based on a magnitude of power consumed by a capacitor formed by a pair of electrodes.

[0151] The controller 300 may control the at least one switch 450 based on a magnitude of power consumed by the capacitor 437 formed by the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433.

[0152] The magnitude of power consumed by the capacitor 437 may refer to the product of a magnitude of voltage and a magnitude of current applied to the first electrode 432, and the magnitudes of the voltage and the current may be root mean square (RMS) values. The magnitudes of the voltage and the current may be measured by the power sensor 240.

[0153] In an embodiment, the controller 300 may control the at least one switch 450, based on the magnitude of power consumed by the capacitor 437 being less than a defined power magnitude P (800).

[0154] For example, referring to FIG. 14 and FIG. 16, in a case where the magnitude of power consumed by the capacitor 437 is less than the defined power magnitude P, the controller 300 may turn on the first switch 451, and thus voltage may be applied to the first sub-electrode 441 and the second sub-electrode 442. As a result, an area A1 of the first electrode 432 to which voltage is applied may increase, an equivalent resistance value R TH may decrease, and the power consumed by the capacitor 437 may increase.

[0155] In an embodiment, the controller 300 may control the at least one switch 450, based on the magnitude of power consumed by the capacitor 437 exceeding the defined power magnitude P (900).

[0156] For example, referring to FIG. 13 and FIG. 16, in a case where the magnitude of power consumed by the capacitor 437 exceeds the defined magnitude P, the controller 300 may turn off the first switch 451 to block the electrical connection between the first sub-electrode 441 and the second sub-electrode 442. As a result, the area A1 of the first electrode 432 to which voltage is applied may decrease, the equivalent resistance value R TH may increase, and the magnitude of power consumed by the capacitor 437 may decrease.

[0157] FIG. 17 illustrates an example of controlling a switch based on a weight of an object to be dried inside a drum, a temperature in the drum, or a humidity in the drum.

[0158] The controller 300 may control the at least one switch 450 based on at least one of a weight of an object to be dried in the drum 20, a temperature inside the drum 20, or a humidity inside the drum 20.

[0159] Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 17, the equivalent circuit 500 of the electrode portion 430 may include the resistor 438. A resistance value R 0 of the resistor 438 may be proportional to the moisture content of the object to be dried 9 in the drum 20. The energy loss in the moisture of the object to be dried 9 may be related to the resistance value R 0 .

[0160] In addition, the resistance value R 0 of the resistor 438 may change depending on the weight of the object to be dried 9 in the drum 20, the humidity inside the drum 20, or the temperature inside the drum 20.

[0161] For example, the moisture content of the object to be dried 9 may change due to changes in the weight of the object to be dried 9, the humidity inside the drum 20, and the temperature inside the drum 20 as drying progresses, and thus the resistance value R 0 of the resistor 438 may decrease (1000).

[0162] The controller 300 according to an embodiment may control the at least one switch 450 based on the weight of the object to be dried 9 in the drum 20.

[0163] For example, referring to FIG. 14 and FIG. 17, the controller 300 may turn off the first switch 451, based on the weight of the object to be dried 9 in the drum 20 being lower than a defined value. As a result, voltage may be applied only to the first sub-electrode 441 (1110).

[0164] The controller 300 according to an embodiment may control the at least one switch 450 based on the temperature inside the drum 20.

[0165] For example, referring to FIG. 14 and FIG. 17, the controller 300 may turn off the first switch 451, based on the temperature of the object to be dried 9 in the drum 20 being higher than a defined value. As a result, voltage may be applied only to the first sub-electrode 441 (1110).

[0166] The controller 300 according to an embodiment may control the at least one switch 450 based on the humidity inside the drum 20.

[0167] For example, referring to FIG. 14 and FIG. 17, the controller 300 may turn off the first switch 451, based on the humidity of the object to be dried 9 in the drum 20 being lower than a defined value. As a result, voltage may be applied only to the first sub-electrode 441 (1110).

[0168] According to the disclosure, a dryer may include: a drum; a pair of electrodes configured to apply an electric field to an inside of the drum and including a first electrode including a plurality of sub-electrodes and a second electrode; at least one switch configured to electrically connect the plurality of sub-electrodes to either a power supply terminal or a ground terminal; and a controller configured to control the at least one switch based on at least one of a weight of an object to be dried inside the drum, a temperature in the drum, or a humidity in the drum.

[0169] The dryer may further include an amplifier configured to amplify a voltage applied to the power supply terminal, and the controller may be configured to control the at least one switch based on a waveform of the amplified voltage.

[0170] The controller may be configured to control the at least one switch based on a magnitude of power consumed by a capacitor formed by the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0171] The dryer may further include a variable inductor connected to the second electrode.

[0172] The dryer may further include an amplifier configured to amplify a voltage applied to the power supply terminal, and the controller may be configured to change an inductance value of the variable inductor based on a waveform of the amplified voltage.

[0173] The plurality of sub-electrodes may include a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode, the first sub-electrode may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal, and the at least one switch may be configured to electrically connect the second sub-electrode to either the first sub-electrode or the ground terminal.

[0174] The plurality of sub-electrodes may further include a third sub-electrode electrically connected to the ground terminal, and the at least one switch may be configured to electrically connect the second sub-electrode to either the first sub-electrode or the third sub-electrode.

[0175] The plurality of sub-electrodes may include a first sub-electrode, a second sub-electrode, and a third sub-electrode, the first sub-electrode may be electrically connected to the power supply terminal.

[0176] The at least one switch may be configured to electrically connect the second sub-electrode to either the first sub-electrode or the third sub-electrode.

[0177] The plurality of sub-electrodes may further include a fourth sub-electrode electrically connected to the ground terminal, and the at least one switch may be configured to electrically connect the third sub-electrode to the fourth sub-electrode or electrically block the third sub-electrode from the fourth sub-electrode.

[0178] According to the disclosure, in a method for controlling a dryer including a pair of electrodes, configured to apply an electric field to an inside of a drum and including a first electrode including a plurality of sub-electrodes and a second electrode, the method may include electrically connecting each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either a power supply terminal or a ground terminal based on at least one of a weight of an object to be dried inside the drum, a temperature in the drum, or a humidity in the drum.

[0179] The dryer may further include an amplifier configured to amplify a voltage applied to the power supply terminal,

[0180] The electrically connecting of each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either the power supply terminal or the ground terminal may include: electrically connecting each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either the power supply terminal or the ground terminal based on a waveform of an amplified voltage applied to the power supply terminal.

[0181] The electrically connecting of each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either the power supply terminal or the ground terminal may include: electrically connecting each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either the power supply terminal or the ground terminal based on a magnitude of power consumed by a capacitor formed by the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0182] The method may further include changing an inductance value of a variable inductor connected to the second electrode.

[0183] The changing of the inductance value of the variable inductor connected to the second electrode

[0184] may include changing the inductance value of the variable inductor based on a waveform of an amplified voltage applied to the power supply terminal.

[0185] The plurality of sub-electrodes may include a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode.

[0186] The electrically connecting of each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either the power supply terminal or the ground terminal may include: electrically connecting the first sub-electrode to the power supply terminal, and electrically connecting the second sub-electrode to either the first sub-electrode or the ground terminal.

[0187] The plurality of sub-electrodes may further include a third sub-electrode, and the electrically connecting of each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either the power supply terminal or the ground terminal may include: electrically connecting the third sub-electrode to either the second sub-electrode or the ground terminal.

[0188] The plurality of sub-electrodes may include a first sub-electrode, a second sub-electrode, and a third sub-electrode, and the electrically connecting of each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either the power supply terminal or the ground terminal may include: electrically connecting the first sub-electrode to the power supply terminal and electrically connecting the second sub-electrode to either the first sub-electrode or the third sub-electrode.

[0189] The plurality of sub-electrodes may further include a fourth sub-electrode electrically connected to the ground terminal, and the electrically connecting of each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either the power supply terminal or the ground terminal may include: electrically connecting the third sub-electrode to the fourth sub-electrode or electrically blocking the third sub-electrode from the fourth sub-electrode.

[0190] FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are perspective views illustrating a dryer of a different configuration from the dryer shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

[0191] Referring to FIG. 18, the dryer according to an embodiment may include a main body forming the exterior, and a chamber installed inside the main body where object to be dried 9 are dried. The main body forms the exterior of the dryer, and may have a hexahedral shape. The main body may have an opening formed at the front for inserting the object to be dried 9.

[0192] The dryer according to the embodiment may include the electrode circuit 400. The electrode circuit 400 according to the embodiment may include the functions and configurations described above.

[0193] For example, the electrode circuit 400 may include the power supply 410, the amplifier 420, and / or the electrode portion 430, and the electrode portion 430 may include the power supply terminal 431, the first electrode 432, the second electrode 433, the ground terminal 434, the switch 450, and / or the variable inductor 436.

[0194] Accordingly, the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433 may be spaced apart from each other so that the object to be dried 9 may be placed between the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433.

[0195] In addition, when the power supply 410 applies voltage to the first electrode 432, a high-frequency electric field may be formed between the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433, and thus the object to be dried 9 may be dried, and the area of the first electrode 432 to which voltage is applied may be changed through the switch.

[0196] Referring to FIG. 19, the dryer according to an embodiment may include a function of drying shoes. For example, the object to be dried 9 may include not only clothes, but also shoes (e.g., dress shoes, sneakers, slippers, etc.).

[0197] The dryer according to the embodiment includes a main body that forms the exterior, and the main body may include a door provided on the front side and opened / closed for shoes to place and withdraw, a left side panel forming the left side, a right side panel forming the right side, a rear panel forming the rear, a top panel forming the top, and a bottom panel forming the bottom.

[0198] The dryer according to the embodiment may include a shoe accommodating portion for accommodating the object to be dried 9, and a plurality of shoe accommodating portions may be provided.

[0199] The dryer according to the embodiment may include the electrode circuit 400. The electrode circuit 400 may include the functions and configurations described above.

[0200] For example, the electrode circuit 400 according to the embodiment may include the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433 corresponding to each shoe accommodating portion, and a high-frequency electric field may be applied between the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433 to dry the object to be dried 9.

[0201] In another example, the dryer according to the embodiment may include at least one switch 450, and the area of the first electrode 432 to which voltage is applied may be changed through the switch 450.

[0202] FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating an oven including an electrode circuit according to an embodiment. FIG. 21 is a view illustrating the oven including the electrode circuit with the door open according to an embodiment.

[0203] When a high-frequency electric field is applied to the food 9a, the moisture contained in the food 9a may function as a dielectric. Accordingly, polar molecules, such as water molecules, inside the food 9a exposed to the electric field may vibrate, and heat may be generated due to the vibration of the polar molecules, thereby heating the food 9a, which will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21.

[0204] Referring to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, an oven according to an embodiment may include a main body having a cooking chamber located inside, and a cooktop provided on the top of the main body where a container containing the food 9a may be placed and heated.

[0205] The main body according to the embodiment may include a front panel forming the front of the main body, side panels forming the sides of the main body, and a rear panel forming the rear of the main body.

[0206] The cooking chamber according to the embodiment may be provided in a box shape inside the main body, and the front may be opened to allow food 9a to be taken in and out. An opening corresponding to the open front of the cooking chamber may be provided in the front panel. The front of the cooking chamber may be opened and closed by a door.

[0207] A plurality of supports may be provided inside the cooking chamber according to the embodiment. Racks on which the food 9a may be placed may be mounted on the plurality of supports. The plurality of supports may protrude from the left and the right walls of the cooking chamber.

[0208] The oven according to the embodiment may include the electrode circuit 400. The electrode circuit 400 according to the embodiment may include the functions and configurations described above.

[0209] For example, the electrode circuit 400 according to the embodiment may include the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433, and the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433 may be spaced apart from each other so that the food 9a may be placed between the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433.

[0210] In another example, in a case where voltage is applied to the first electrode 432 according to the embodiment, the food 9a may be heated by the high-frequency electric field formed between the first electrode 432 and the second electrode 433.

[0211] In still another example, the oven according to the embodiment may include at least one switch 450, and the area of the first electrode 432 to which voltage is applied may be changed through the switch 450.

[0212] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program codes, and when executed by a processor, the instructions may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0213] The computer-readable recording medium may include all kinds of recording media storing instructions that may be interpreted by a computer. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disc, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, etc.

[0214] The computer-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, when a storage medium is referred to as "non-transitory", it may be understood that the storage medium is tangible and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but rather that data is semi-permanently or temporarily stored in the storage medium. For example, a "non-transitory storage medium" may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0215] The method according to various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed (e.g., download or upload) through an application store (e.g., Play Store ™< ) online or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., downloadable app) may be stored at least semi-permanently or may be temporarily generated in a storage medium, such as a memory of a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a relay server.

[0216] Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, a person having ordinary skilled in the art will appreciate that other specific modifications may be easily made without departing from the technical spirit or essential features of the disclosure. Therefore, the foregoing embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting in all aspects.

Claims

1. A dryer, comprising: a drum; a pair of electrodes configured to apply an electric field to an inside of the drum, and comprising a first electrode including a plurality of sub-electrodes and a second electrode; at least one switch configured to electrically connect the plurality of sub-electrodes to either a power supply terminal or a ground terminal; and a controller configured to control the at least one switch based on at least one of a weight of an object to be dried inside the drum, a temperature in the drum, or a humidity in the drum.

2. The dryer of claim 1, further comprising: an amplifier configured to amplify a voltage applied to the power supply terminal, wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one switch based on a waveform of the amplified voltage.

3. The dryer of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one switch based on a magnitude of power consumed by a capacitor formed by the first electrode and the second electrode.

4. The dryer of claim 1, further comprising: a variable inductor connected to the second electrode.

5. The dryer of claim 4, further comprising: an amplifier configured to amplify a voltage applied to the power supply terminal, wherein the controller is configured to change an inductance value of the variable inductor based on a waveform of the amplified voltage.

6. The dryer of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-electrodes includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode, the first sub-electrode is electrically connected to the power supply terminal, and the at least one switch is configured to electrically connect the second sub-electrode to either the first sub-electrode or the ground terminal.

7. The dryer of claim 6, wherein the plurality of sub-electrodes further includes a third sub-electrode electrically connected to the ground terminal, and the at least one switch is configured to electrically connect the second sub-electrode to either the first sub-electrode or the third sub-electrode.

8. The dryer of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-electrodes includes a first sub-electrode, a second sub-electrode, and a third sub-electrode, the first sub-electrode is electrically connected to the power supply terminal, and the at least one switch is configured to electrically connect the second sub-electrode to either the first sub-electrode or the third sub-electrode.

9. The dryer of claim 8, wherein the plurality of sub-electrodes further includes a fourth sub-electrode electrically connected to the ground terminal, and the at least one switch is configured to electrically connect the third sub-electrode to the fourth sub-electrode or electrically block the third sub-electrode from the fourth sub-electrode.

10. A method for controlling a dryer comprising a pair of electrodes, configured to apply an electric field to an inside of a drum and comprising a first electrode including a plurality of sub-electrodes and a second electrode, the method comprising: electrically connecting each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either a power supply terminal or a ground terminal based on at least one of a weight of an object to be dried inside the drum, a temperature in the drum, or a humidity in the drum.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the dryer further comprises an amplifier configured to amplify a voltage applied to the power supply terminal, and wherein the electrically connecting of each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either the power supply terminal or the ground terminal comprises electrically connecting each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either the power supply terminal or the ground terminal based on a waveform of the amplified voltage applied to the power supply terminal.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the electrically connecting of each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either the power supply terminal or the ground terminal comprises electrically connecting each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either the power supply terminal or the ground terminal based on a magnitude of power consumed by a capacitor formed by the first electrode and the second electrode.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising: changing an inductance value of a variable inductor connected to the second electrode.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the changing of the inductance value of the variable inductor connected to the second electrode comprises changing the inductance value of the variable inductor based on a waveform of an amplified voltage applied to the power supply terminal.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sub-electrodes includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode, and the electrically connecting of each of the plurality of sub-electrodes to either the power supply terminal or the ground terminal comprises: electrically connecting the first sub-electrode to the power supply terminal, and electrically connecting the second sub-electrode to either the first sub-electrode or the ground terminal.

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