Dryer and sterilizing device

Abstract

To provide a dryer which can shorten sterilizing time while performing sterilization surely.SOLUTION: A dryer 1 includes a sterilizing course for performing sterilization of an object. The dryer includes: a drying tub 3 which has an exhaust port 3A and an air supply port 3B, and in which the object is arranged; a ventilation flue 11 having an upstream end 11A connected to the exhaust port 3A and a downstream end 11B connected to the air supply port 3B; a blower 12 for generating an airflow flowing from the upstream toward the downstream in the ventilation flue 11; a heater 13 for performing heating of the air flowing in the ventilation flue 11; temperature sensors 16A, 16B for detecting the temperature of the object; and a control device which controls in such a manner that, after detecting that the temperature of the object has reached a predetermined temperature by the temperature sensors 16A, 16B, heating by the heater 13 is continued for as long as predetermined time. The predetermined temperature is one of equal to or higher than 65 degrees and equal to or less than 75 degrees, and the predetermined time is one of equal to or longer than 10 minutes and equal to or less than 20 minutes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dryer and a sterilization device having a sterilization course. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a clothes dryer as a dryer. This clothes dryer includes a drying chamber, a circulation air duct, a circulation fan, and a heat pump type heating and cooling means (compression means, radiator, decompression means, and heat absorber), and dries clothes by dehumidifying and heating moist air from the drying chamber in the circulation air duct and returning the air to the drying chamber.

[0003] In such a dryer, a heater-type heating means such as a nichrome wire heater or a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater may be used instead of the heat pump-type heating / cooling means. Alternatively, in such a dryer, a heater-type heating means may be used in combination with the heat pump-type heating / cooling means as an auxiliary heat source.

[0004] Furthermore, such dryers may have a sterilization course in which items that cannot be washed with water (for example, dry clothes) are heated to sterilize the items. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-22401 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Conventionally, such sterilization courses have been controlled for a fixed time (for example, 1 hour, more specifically, for example, 55 minutes of heat sterilization and approximately 5 minutes of cool-down). However, according to the knowledge of the present inventors, the sterilization time varies depending on the seasonal difference between summer and winter and the regional difference between 50Hz and 60Hz power supply frequencies.

[0007] For example, when the ambient temperature is low or the power supply frequency is low, the temperature of the clothes is low. Therefore, with fixed-time operation control, there is a possibility that sterilization is insufficient. On the other hand, when the ambient temperature is high or the power supply frequency is high, the temperature of the clothes is high. Therefore, with fixed-time operation control, there is a possibility that the clothes will continue to operate unnecessarily even though sterilization is sufficient.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a dryer and a sterilization device that can reliably perform sterilization while shortening the sterilization time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The inventors of the present application have found that, for example, Staphylococcus aureus (toxin) can be sterilized at 65 degrees for 10 minutes.

[0010] (1) A dryer according to the present disclosure has a sterilization course for sterilizing objects, and includes: a drying tank having an exhaust port and an air intake port and in which the objects are placed; an air duct having an upstream end connected to the exhaust port and a downstream end connected to the air intake port; a blower disposed in the air duct and generating an airflow flowing from upstream to downstream in the air duct; a heater disposed in the air duct and heating the air flowing through the air duct; a temperature sensor disposed in the air duct and detecting the temperature of the objects; and a control device configured to control the heater to continue heating for a predetermined time after the temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the objects has reached a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is between 65°C and 75°C, and the predetermined time is between 10 and 20 minutes.

[0011] The dryer of the present disclosure continues to heat the object for 10 minutes or more after the object's temperature reaches 65°C or higher, ensuring reliable sterilization. Furthermore, the dryer of the present disclosure varies the sterilization time by detecting that the object's temperature has reached 65°C or higher, ensuring reliable sterilization regardless of fluctuations in the environmental temperature and power supply frequency (i.e., seasonal and regional differences).

[0012] Furthermore, with the dryer according to the present disclosure, if the temperature of the object quickly reaches 65 degrees or higher, the sterilization time can be shortened compared to conventional fixed-time sterilization courses.

[0013] (2) The dryer described in (1) further includes a cooler located upstream of the heater in the ventilation duct and dehumidifying the air flowing through the ventilation duct, and a compressor that supplies compressed refrigerant to the heater and expanded refrigerant to the cooler, and the heater and the cooler may be heat pump types.

[0014] Heating methods include heater types (heating types) and heat pump types (heating and cooling types). Heater types (heating types) can raise the temperature of an object (such as clothing) to a relatively high level, but they can cause damage to the object (such as clothing) and consume a lot of power.

[0015] In this regard, the heat pump type (heating and cooling type) does not raise the temperature of the object (e.g., clothing) to a relatively high temperature (e.g., 65 to 80 degrees), making it less likely to damage the object (e.g., clothing).Furthermore, the heat pump type (heating and cooling type) can reduce power consumption compared to the heater type (heating type).

[0016] (3) In the dryer described in (1) or (2), the temperature sensor may include a first temperature sensor located upstream of the heater and detecting the temperature of the air before heating, and a second temperature sensor located downstream of the heater and detecting the temperature of the air after heating, and the control device may estimate the temperature of the object based on the temperatures of the air before and after heating detected by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor.

[0017] This makes it possible to detect the temperature of the object in the drying tank.

[0018] (4) In the dryer described in (1) or (2), if the temperature of the object does not reach the predetermined temperature even after the upper limit time has elapsed, the control device may issue an error notification indicating that sterilization cannot be performed sufficiently.

[0019] This allows the user to know whether or not sterilization has been reliably achieved.

[0020] (5) A sterilization apparatus according to the present disclosure is a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing an object, comprising: a sterilization tank in which the object is placed; a heater for heating the air in the sterilization tank; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the object; and a control device for controlling the heater to continue heating for a predetermined time after the temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the object has reached a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is between 65°C and 75°C, and the predetermined time is between 10 and 20 minutes.

[0021] The sterilization device of the present disclosure continues to heat the object for 10 minutes or more after the object's temperature reaches 65°C or higher, ensuring reliable sterilization. Furthermore, the sterilization device of the present disclosure varies the sterilization time by detecting that the object's temperature has reached 65°C or higher, ensuring reliable sterilization regardless of fluctuations in environmental temperature and power supply frequency (i.e., seasonal and regional differences).

[0022] Furthermore, with the sterilization device according to the present disclosure, if the temperature of the object quickly reaches 65 degrees or higher, the sterilization time can be shortened compared to conventional sterilization courses with fixed time limits. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present disclosure, in a dryer and a sterilization device, it is possible to shorten the sterilization time while reliably performing sterilization. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from the front side; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from the rear side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the dryer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the dryer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the dryer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between temperature and time at which sterilization is possible. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the clothing temperature rise characteristics caused by a heat pump heater / cooler, with the ambient temperature and power supply frequency as parameters. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of operation control of a sterilization course by the dryer according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] An example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0026] Fig. 1 is an exterior perspective view showing a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from the front side, and Fig. 2 is an exterior perspective view showing a dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from the rear side. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the dryer shown in Figs. 1 and 2, taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the dryer shown in Figs. 1 and 2, taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the dryer shown in Figs. 1 and 2, taken along line VV in Fig. 1.

[0027] 1 to 5 is a so-called drum-type clothes dryer. Dryer 1 includes, inside housing 2, a drying tub 3, a drum 4, a motor 5, an air passage (duct) 11, a blower 12, a heater 13, a cooler 14, a first filter 15A, a second filter 15B, a first temperature sensor 16A, a second temperature sensor 16B, a compressor 18, and a control device 30. Drying tub 3 is composed of drum 4, a front panel 3F, and a rear panel 3R.

[0028] A door 2A is provided on the front of the housing 2 for putting objects to be dried into and taking them out of the drying tank 3. When the door 2A is closed, the drying tank 3 is sealed by the door 2A via a packing made of, for example, a rubber member.

[0029] As shown primarily in Figure 4, the drying tank 3 is composed of a drum 4, a front panel 3F, and a rear panel 3R. The front panel 3F is fixedly disposed in front of the drum 4 and has an opening in the center. The opening in the front panel 3F is opened and closed by a door 2A. Similarly, the rear panel 3R is fixedly disposed behind the drum 4 and has an opening in the center.

[0030] As shown primarily in FIG. 3, a motor 5 is provided at the lower left of the drying tank 3. The drum 4 is rotated by the motor 5 via a belt 5A. As shown primarily in FIG. 4, the drum 4 is rotated and slid relative to a front plate 3F and a rear plate 3R which are disposed stationary. The front plate 3F and the rear plate 3R contact the drum 4 via packings made of, for example, a rubber material. The drum 4 is rotated and slid relative to the front plate 3F and the rear plate 3R via the packings.

[0031] An exhaust port 3A is disposed on the front side of the drying tank 3, specifically below the central opening of the front panel 3F. An intake port 3B is disposed on the rear side of the drying tank 3, specifically below the central opening of the rear panel 3R.

[0032] An upstream end 11A of the ventilation path 11 is connected to the exhaust port 3A of the drying tank 3, and a downstream end 11B of the ventilation path 11 is connected to the air inlet 3B of the drying tank 3. The ventilation path 11 extends downward from the exhaust port 3A of the drying tank 3 at the front side of the drying tank 3, extends from the front side to the rear side below the drying tank 3, extends upward at the rear side of the drying tank 3, and extends to the air inlet 3B of the drying tank 3. Arranged inside the ventilation path 11, in this order from the upstream side, are a first filter 15A, a first temperature sensor 16A, a second filter 15B, a cooler 14, a heater 13, a second temperature sensor 16B, and a blower 12. Meanwhile, a compressor 18 is arranged outside the ventilation path 11.

[0033] Blower 12 is, for example, an impeller. Blower 12 generates an airflow that flows from upstream to downstream in ventilation duct 11. As a result, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4, air in drying chamber 3 is taken into ventilation duct 11 from exhaust port 3A, dehumidified and heated by cooler 14 and heater 13 (described later), and the heated air is returned from ventilation duct 11 to drying chamber 3 via air inlet 3B.

[0034] The compressor 18 supplies the refrigerant to the heater 13 and the cooler 14. For example, the compressor 18 supplies compressed refrigerant to the heater 13. The refrigerant that has passed through the heater 13 is expanded, and the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the cooler 14. The refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 14 returns to the compressor 18. Note that the refrigerant pipes and the expander are omitted from FIG. 5.

[0035] Cooler 14 is, for example, an evaporator, and heater 13 is, for example, a condenser. Cooler 14 is arranged upstream of heater 13 in ventilation path 11. Cooler 14 cools and dehumidifies the air flowing through ventilation path 11. Heater 13 heats the air flowing through ventilation path 11. As a result, heater 13 and cooler 14 form a heat pump type dehumidifying heater.

[0036] Instead of the heat pump type heater / cooler (heat exchanger), a heater type heater such as a nichrome wire heater or a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater may be used. Alternatively, a heat pump type heater / cooler may be combined with a heater type heater as an auxiliary heat source.

[0037] Although heater-type heaters can raise the temperature of clothes to a relatively high level, they can damage the clothes and consume a lot of power. In this regard, heat pump-type heater-coolers do not raise the temperature of clothes to a relatively high level (for example, 65 to 80 degrees), making it less likely to damage the clothes. Furthermore, heat pump-type heater-coolers can consume less power than heater-type heaters.

[0038] First filter 15A is, for example, a lint filter, and second filter 15B is, for example, a dryer filter. First filter 15A has a coarser mesh than second filter 15B and captures relatively large foreign matter, such as lint, contained in the air flowing through ventilation channel 11. Second filter 15B has a finer mesh than first filter 15A and captures relatively small foreign matter that cannot be captured by first filter 15A.

[0039] First temperature sensor 16A is disposed in ventilation path 11, for example, upstream of second filter 15B, i.e., upstream of heater 13, and detects the temperature of the air before heating. Second temperature sensor 16B is disposed in ventilation path 11, for example, downstream of heater 13, and detects the temperature of the air after heating.

[0040] The control device 30 performs overall control of the dryer 1. For example, the control device 30 controls the motor 5 to control the rotation of the drum 4. The control device 30 also controls the blower 12. The control device 30 also controls the compressor 18 to control the heater 13 and the cooler 14, i.e., the heat pump system.

[0041] The control device 30 also controls the operation of a sterilization course that sterilizes the target object. Specifically, the control device 30 estimates the clothing temperature based on the air temperatures before and after heating detected by the first temperature sensor 16A and the second temperature sensor 16B. Thus, it can be said that the first temperature sensor 16A and the second temperature sensor 16B detect the clothing temperature. Alternatively, the control device 30 may detect the air temperature detected by either the first temperature sensor 16A or the second temperature sensor 16B as the clothing temperature.

[0042] Note that control device 30 may detect the temperature of the refrigerant pipe of compressor 18, i.e., the refrigerant temperature, estimate the temperature of the air in ventilation path 11 based on the detected refrigerant temperature, and estimate the temperature of the clothes based on the estimated air temperature in ventilation path 11. In this case, for example, first temperature sensor 16A may detect the refrigerant temperature after contributing to heat exchange in heater 13, and second temperature sensor 16B may detect the refrigerant temperature before contributing to heat exchange in heater 13.

[0043] The control device 30 controls the heater to continue heating for a predetermined time after the temperature sensors 16A and 16B detect that the clothing temperature has reached a predetermined temperature based on the estimated clothing temperature. The predetermined temperature is set to be between 65°C and 75°C. The predetermined time is set to be between 10 and 20 minutes.

[0044] The control device 30 may also control the dehumidification (dryness, e.g., drying rate) of the clothes based on the humidity inside the drying tub 3 detected by, for example, a humidity sensor 17 disposed inside the drying tub 3. The humidity sensor 17 is disposed, for example, near the exhaust port 3A of the opening in the front panel 3F of the drying tub 3. The drying rate is expressed, for example, by the following formula: Dryness rate (%) = (weight of standard clothes / weight of wet clothes) x 100 Here, the standard mass of clothing is the mass of clothing in equilibrium under conditions of a temperature of 20°C and a humidity of 65%.

[0045] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between temperature and time at which sterilization is possible. As shown in Fig. 6, the inventors of the present application have found that, for example, Staphylococcus aureus (toxin) can be sterilized at 65°C for 10 minutes. In this regard, according to this embodiment, the clothes are heated for 10 minutes or more after the temperature reaches 65°C or higher, so sterilization can be performed reliably.

[0046] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the clothing temperature rise characteristics of a heat pump heater / cooler, with ambient temperature and power supply frequency as parameters. As shown in Fig. 7, the inventors of the present application have found that the clothing temperature rise characteristics are affected by ambient temperature and power supply frequency. According to Fig. 7, in the case of a heat pump heater / cooler, the time it takes for the clothing temperature to reach 65°C differs between a 20°C environment and a 35°C environment, and the time it takes for the clothing temperature to reach 65°C is faster in a 35°C environment than in a 20°C environment.

[0047] Furthermore, if the compressor motor (not shown) is a non-inverter, the time it takes for the clothing temperature to reach 65 degrees differs between a power supply frequency of 50 Hz and a power supply frequency of 60 Hz, and the time it takes for the clothing temperature to reach 65 degrees is faster at a power supply frequency of 60 Hz than at a power supply frequency of 50 Hz.

[0048] In other words, the time available for sterilization varies depending on the seasonal difference between summer and winter and the regional difference in power supply frequency between 50Hz and 60Hz, so a sterilization course with fixed operation control (for example, 1 hour, or more specifically, 55 minutes of heating sterilization and approximately 5 minutes of cool-down) as in the past results in large differences in the sterilization rate.

[0049] As described above, when the ambient temperature or the power supply frequency is low, the temperature of the clothes is low. Therefore, with fixed-time operation control, there is a possibility that sterilization is insufficient. On the other hand, when the ambient temperature or the power supply frequency is high, the temperature of the clothes is high. Therefore, with fixed-time operation control, there is a possibility that the clothes will continue to operate unnecessarily even though sterilization is sufficient.

[0050] In this regard, according to this embodiment, the sterilization time is changed by detecting that the temperature of the clothing is 65 degrees or higher, so sterilization can be performed reliably regardless of fluctuations in ambient temperature and power supply frequency (i.e., seasonal and regional differences).

[0051] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, if the temperature of the clothes reaches 65°C or higher quickly, the sterilization time can be shortened compared to the conventional fixed-time sterilization course, thereby reducing damage to the clothes.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the findings of the inventors, in the case of a heat pump type heater / cooler, in a 5°C environment, the clothing temperature may not reach 65°C even after three hours of operation. In such an extremely cold environment, the drying rate is around 100.5%, and cotton clothing or folded clothing may feel damp. (In contrast, in a 20°C environment and a 35°C environment, where the clothing temperature reaches 65°C and sufficient sterilization is performed, the drying rate is 102% to 103%.)

[0053] In this regard, if the clothing temperature does not reach a predetermined temperature even after an upper limit time (e.g., three hours) has elapsed, the control device 30 may issue an error notification indicating that sufficient sterilization cannot be performed. The error notification may be, for example, a text display or an icon displaying the message "sterilization is difficult due to the low temperature environment."

[0054] In this way, if the clothing temperature never reaches 65°C, the operation may be terminated at a preset upper limit time and an error message may be displayed, allowing the user to know whether or not sterilization has been achieved reliably.

[0055] Alternatively, the control device 30 can issue the above-mentioned error notification based on the environmental temperature when the sterilization course starts, without waiting for the upper limit time to expire.

[0056] The control device 30 is configured with an arithmetic processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The various functions of the control device 30 are realized by executing predetermined software (programs) stored in a storage device, for example. The various functions of the control device 30 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software, or may be realized by hardware (electronic circuits) alone. The storage device is configured with memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage device stores predetermined software (programs) that realize the various functions of the control device 30.

[0057] Next, the operational control of the sterilization course by the dryer 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the operational control of the sterilization course by the dryer according to this embodiment.

[0058] First, the user starts the sterilization course of the dryer. Then, the control device 30 operates the heat pump system, that is, operates the compressor 18, and operates the heater (condenser) 13 and the cooler (evaporator) 14 (step S1). The control device 30 also operates the rotation of the drum 4 (step S2) and operates the blower 12 (step S3). This starts the sterilization process.

[0059] Next, the control device 30 estimates the temperature of the clothes based on the temperatures before and after heating detected by the first temperature sensor 16A and the second temperature sensor 16B, and determines whether the temperature of the clothes has reached a predetermined temperature (e.g., 65 degrees) (step S4).

[0060] When the clothing temperature reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, 65 degrees), the control device 30 determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes) has elapsed since the clothing temperature reached the predetermined temperature (step S5).

[0061] After a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes) has elapsed, the control device 30 stops the heat pump system, i.e., stops the compressor 18, the heater (condenser) 13, and the cooler (evaporator) 14 (step S6). This ends the sterilization process, and starts a cool-down process (approximately 5 minutes).

[0062] Next, the control device 30 determines whether the air temperature detected by, for example, the first temperature sensor 16A and the second temperature sensor 16B, i.e., the clothing temperature, has dropped below a predetermined cool-down temperature (for example, 40 to 45 degrees) (step S7).

[0063] When the temperature drops below the cool-down temperature, the control device 30 stops the rotation of the drum 4 (step S8) and stops the blower 12 (step S9), thereby completing the operation control of the sterilization course.

[0064] If the clothing temperature does not reach the predetermined temperature (e.g., 65°C) in step S4, the control device 30 determines whether an upper limit time (e.g., 3 hours) has elapsed since the start of the sterilization course (S10). If the upper limit time (e.g., 3 hours) has elapsed, the control device 30 issues an error notification (S11) and performs the processes of steps S6 to S9 described above.

[0065] As described above, the dryer 1 of this embodiment continues to heat the clothes for 10 minutes or more after the temperature reaches 65°C or higher, ensuring reliable sterilization. Furthermore, the dryer 1 of this embodiment varies the sterilization time by detecting that the clothes have reached 65°C or higher, ensuring reliable sterilization regardless of fluctuations in the ambient temperature and power supply frequency (i.e., seasonal and regional differences).

[0066] Furthermore, with the dryer 1 of this embodiment, when the temperature of the clothes reaches 65°C or higher quickly, the sterilization time can be shortened compared to the conventional fixed-time sterilization course, thereby reducing damage to the clothes.

[0067] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications and variations are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiments, a drum-type dryer has been described. However, the features of the present disclosure are not limited to this and can be applied to various appliances such as a drum-type washer-dryer, a vertical dryer, and a vertical washer-dryer. Furthermore, the features of the present disclosure can be applied to various appliances such as a dryer and washer-dryer for clothes, a dryer and washer-dryer for dishes, etc.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, a clothes dryer is illustrated that includes an air duct 11 and a blower 12 separate from the drying tub 3 in which the objects are placed, and that heats the air flowing through the air duct 11. However, the features of the present disclosure are not limited to this and can be applied to various dryers. For example, the present disclosure can be applied to dryers that do not include an air duct and a blower and that directly heat the air in the drying tub. Furthermore, the features of the present disclosure are not limited to dryers with a drying function and can be applied to sterilization devices that only have a thermal sterilization function and perform thermal sterilization, which essentially dries by heating.

[0069] An example of such a sterilization apparatus is a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing an object, comprising: a sterilization tank in which the object is placed, a heater for heating the air in the sterilization tank, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the object, and a control device for controlling the heater to continue heating for a predetermined time after the temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the object has reached a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is set to a value between 65°C and 75°C, and the predetermined time is set to a value between 10 and 20 minutes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Dryer (sterilization device) 2. Case 2A Door 3 Drying tank (sterilization tank) 3F front panel 3R back plate 3A exhaust port 3B Air supply port 4 Drums 5 motors 5A Belt 11 Ventilation duct (duct) 11A Upstream end 11B Downstream end 12 Blower (impeller) 13 Heater (condenser) 14 Cooler (evaporator) 15A 1st filter 15B Second filter 16A 1st temperature sensor 16B Second temperature sensor 17 Humidity Sensor 18 Compressor 30 Control device

Claims

1. A dryer having a sterilization course for sterilizing an object, a drying tank having an exhaust port and an air intake port and in which the object is placed; an air passage having an upstream end connected to the exhaust port and a downstream end connected to the air intake port; a blower disposed in the ventilation duct and configured to generate an airflow flowing from upstream to downstream in the ventilation duct; a heater disposed in the ventilation duct and configured to heat air flowing through the ventilation duct; a temperature sensor disposed in the ventilation duct for detecting a temperature of the object; a control device that controls the heater to continue heating for a predetermined time after the temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the object has reached a predetermined temperature; Equipped with The predetermined temperature is equal to or higher than 65 degrees and equal to or lower than 75 degrees, The predetermined time is between 10 minutes and 20 minutes. dryer.

2. a cooler that is disposed upstream of the heater in the ventilation duct and that dehumidifies air flowing through the ventilation duct; a compressor that supplies a compressed refrigerant to the heater and an expanded refrigerant to the cooler; Further provided with The heater and the cooler are heat pump types. The dryer of claim 1 .

3. The temperature sensor a first temperature sensor disposed upstream of the heater and configured to detect the temperature of the air before heating; a second temperature sensor disposed downstream of the heater and configured to detect the temperature of the heated air; Including, The control device estimates the temperature of the object based on the temperatures of the air before and after heating detected by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor. The dryer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The dryer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device issues an error notification indicating that sterilization cannot be performed sufficiently if the temperature of the object does not reach the predetermined temperature even after an upper limit time has elapsed.

5. A sterilization device for sterilizing an object, a sterilization tank in which the object is placed; a heater for heating the air in the sterilization tank; a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the object; a control device that controls the heater to continue heating for a predetermined time after the temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the object has reached a predetermined temperature; Equipped with The predetermined temperature is equal to or higher than 65 degrees and equal to or lower than 75 degrees, The predetermined time is between 10 minutes and 20 minutes. Sterilization device.

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