Clothing dryer

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of accurately determining a clogging state of a filter.SOLUTION: A clothing dryer can execute a drying operation to dry clothing. The clothing dryer comprises: a dry air path in which air for drying the clothing flows; a filter that is disposed in the dry air path so as to traverse the dry air path and captures lint included in the air flowing in the dry air path; a light emitting part to emit light toward the filter; a plurality of light receivers to receive the light emitted from the light emitting part through the filter; and a determination part to determine a clogging state of the filter based on the light received by the plurality of light receivers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a clothes dryer. [Background technology]

[0002] A clothes dryer is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The clothes dryer in Patent Document 1 includes a filter that captures lint, a light-emitting unit that emits light toward the filter, a light-receiving unit that receives the light that has passed through the filter, and a determining unit that determines the clogging state of the filter based on the light received by the light-receiving unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-280999 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Because lint moves chaotically during operation of a clothes dryer, the lint-trapping filter has some areas that trap a lot of lint and some areas that trap little lint. In such cases, the configuration of Patent Document 1 determines the clogging state of the entire filter based on the state of only a portion of the filter, making it impossible to accurately determine the clogging state of the filter. Therefore, this specification provides a technology that can accurately determine the clogging state of the filter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a clothes dryer capable of performing a drying operation to dry clothes. The clothes dryer includes a drying air duct through which air for drying clothes flows, a filter disposed in the drying air duct so as to cross the drying air duct and for capturing lint contained in the air flowing through the drying air duct, a light-emitting unit that emits light toward the filter, a plurality of light-receiving units that receive the light emitted from the light-emitting unit via the filter, and a determination unit that determines a clogged state of the filter based on the light received by the plurality of light-receiving units. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view schematically showing a clothes dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a top view schematically showing a clothes dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a clothes dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the drying air duct and a filter unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a process for determining a clogging state of a filter. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of a drying air duct and a filter unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a process for determining a clogging state of a filter. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of a drying air duct and a filter unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a process for determining a clogging state of a filter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A clothes dryer 2 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the clothes dryer 2 of the embodiment includes a housing 4, an outer tub 10 disposed within the housing 4, an inner tub 12 disposed within the outer tub 10, and a dry air duct 20 disposed within the housing 4 outside the outer tub 10. The clothes dryer 2 also includes a filter unit 6 that is detachable from the housing 4.

[0008] The clothes dryer 2 is capable of performing a drying operation to dry clothes stored in the inner tub 12. The clothes dryer 2 may also be capable of performing a washing operation to wash the clothes stored in the inner tub 12. That is, the clothes dryer 2 may have both a drying function and a washing function. Therefore, the clothes dryer 2 may include a water supply channel 53 and a drain channel 55 that are disposed outside the outer tub 10 and within the housing 4.

[0009] The water supply passage 53 has an upstream end connected to a water supply source (e.g., a water line) and a downstream end connected to the outer tub 10. The water supply passage 53 supplies water from the water supply source into the outer tub 10. A water supply valve 54 is provided in the water supply passage 53, and when the water supply valve 54 is opened, water is supplied into the outer tub 10.

[0010] The drainage channel 55 has an upstream end connected to the outer tub 10 and a downstream end connected to a drainage destination (e.g., a drain pan). The drainage channel 55 discharges water discharged from the outer tub 10 to the drainage destination. A drainage valve 56 is provided in the drainage channel 55, and when the drainage valve 56 opens, the water in the outer tub 10 is discharged to the drainage destination.

[0011] The housing 4 of the clothes dryer 2 houses the inner tub 12 and the outer tub 10. An opening 42 is provided in the front of the housing 4 for inserting and removing clothes from the inner tub 12. The opening 42 communicates with the interior of the outer tub 10 and the interior of the inner tub 12. A door 40 for opening and closing the opening 42 is provided in the front of the housing 4. An insertion opening 44 is provided in the top surface of the housing 4 for attaching and detaching the filter unit 6 to and from the housing 4. The insertion opening 44 communicates with the dry air duct 20 provided in the housing 4. When the filter unit 6 is inserted into the insertion opening 44, a portion of the filter unit 6 is inserted into the dry air duct 20. This attaches the filter unit 6 to the dry air duct 20 and the housing 4. The configuration of the filter unit 6 will be described later.

[0012] The outer tub 10 and inner tub 12 inside the housing 4 are arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal. The clothes dryer 2 of this embodiment has a so-called inclined drum configuration. The inner tub 12, which is arranged inside the outer tub 10, can hold clothes during the drying operation of the clothes dryer 2. The inner tub 12 is rotatably arranged inside the outer tub 10 and is driven to rotate by a motor 14 arranged inside the housing 4. During the drying operation of the clothes dryer 2, the clothes inside the inner tub 12 are agitated by the rotation of the inner tub 12, and the clothes are dried while the clothes are being agitated.

[0013] Next, the drying air duct 20 will be described. The drying air duct 20 is a passage through which air flows to dry clothes. The upstream end and downstream end of the drying air duct 20 are connected to the outer tub 10. The drying air duct 20 is a passage that circulates air so that the air discharged from the outer tub 10 is supplied back into the outer tub 10.

[0014] The drying air duct 20 includes, in order from the upstream side, an exhaust air duct 21, a heat exchange air duct 22, and an intake air duct 23. The upstream end of the exhaust air duct 21 is connected to an exhaust port 71 provided at the top of the outer tub 10. During the drying operation, air inside the outer tub 10 and the inner tub 12 is discharged into the exhaust air duct 21 through the exhaust port 71. The downstream end of the exhaust air duct 21 is connected to the heat exchange air duct 22. The air that has flowed through the exhaust air duct 21 is sent to the heat exchange air duct 22.

[0015] The heat exchange air passage 22 is provided between the exhaust air passage 21 and the supply air passage 23. The upstream end of the heat exchange air passage 22 is connected to the exhaust air passage 21, and the downstream end of the heat exchange air passage 22 is connected to the supply air passage 23.

[0016] An evaporator and a condenser (neither shown) of a heat pump 80 are arranged in the heat exchange air duct 22. The evaporator and condenser of the heat pump 80 dehumidify and heat the air flowing in the heat exchange air duct 22. As a result, the air supplied to the outer tub 10 and the inner tub 12 during the drying operation is dehumidified and heated. The principle of the heat pump 80 is already known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0017] A blower fan 81 is also arranged in heat exchange air duct 22. Blower fan 81 is rotatably arranged in heat exchange air duct 22 and is rotated by driving motor 83. When blower fan 81 rotates during the drying operation, air is sent from the upstream side to the downstream side of heat exchange air duct 22. The air that has flowed through heat exchange air duct 22 is sent to intake air duct 23.

[0018] The upstream end of the air intake duct 23 is connected to the heat exchange air intake duct 22, and the downstream end of the air intake duct 23 is connected to an air intake port 72 provided at the rear of the outer tub 10. During the drying operation, air flowing through the air intake duct 23 is supplied into the outer tub 10 and the inner tub 12 through the air intake port 72. The air supplied into the inner tub 12 dries the clothes in the inner tub 12.

[0019] Next, a description will be given of the filter unit 6. The filter unit 6 is configured to capture lint contained in the air flowing through the dry air duct 20. As shown in FIG. 4, the filter unit 6 includes an insert member 64 and a cover member 62.

[0020] The insertion member 64 is inserted into the housing 4 through the insertion opening 44 provided on the top surface of the housing 4. The insertion member 64 is disposed in the drying air duct 20 (more specifically, in the exhaust air duct 21 of the drying air duct 20) while the clothes dryer 2 is performing a drying operation.

[0021] The insert member 64 includes a filter 60 for capturing lint and a holding member 66 for holding the filter 60. The filter 60 is made of, for example, a mesh made of resin or metal. In a modified example, the filter 60 may be made of nonwoven fabric. The filter 60 captures lint contained in the air flowing through the exhaust air duct 21 of the drying air duct 20 during the drying operation.

[0022] Filter 60 is held by holding member 66 and arranged to cross exhaust air passage 21. Filter 60 is arranged to intersect with the flow direction of air flowing through exhaust air passage 21. Filter 60 is arranged in a curved state within exhaust air passage 21. Holding member 66 that holds filter 60 is configured, for example, in a lattice shape (not shown) so that air flowing through exhaust air passage 21 can pass through.

[0023] The insertion member 64 further includes a rotating member 68 that rotates relative to the filter 60, and a cleaning member 69 provided at the tip of the rotating member 68. The rotating member 68 rotates about a rotation axis 68a, thereby moving the cleaning member 69 along the surface of the filter 60. The rotating member 68 is configured, for example, in the shape of a rectangular frame (not shown). By moving along the surface of the filter 60, the cleaning member 69 can scrape off lint trapped on the surface of the filter 60 from the surface of the filter 60. This allows the filter 60 to be cleaned.

[0024] The lid member 62 of the filter unit 6 closes the insertion opening 44 provided on the upper surface of the housing 4 when the insertion member 64 is inserted into the housing 4. By closing the insertion opening 44, the lid member 62 forms part of the upper surface of the housing 4. The upper surface of the lid member 62 is configured to be grippable by a user's hand. The insertion member 64 is fixed to the lower surface of the lid member 62. A user of the clothes dryer 2 can insert or remove the insertion member 64 from the insertion opening 44 of the housing 4 while gripping the lid member 62 with their hand. This allows the filter unit 6 to be attached or detached to the housing 4, and the filter 60 to be attached or detached to the drying air duct 20.

[0025] According to the clothes dryer 2 having the above configuration, lint contained in the air flowing through the drying air duct 20 can be captured by the filter 60 of the filter unit 6 during the drying operation. When the air flowing through the drying air duct 20 passes through the filter 60, the lint contained in the air is captured by the filter 60. The filter 60 may become clogged if it captures a large amount of lint.

[0026] Next, a configuration for determining the clogged state of filter 60 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, in order to determine the clogged state of filter 60, clothes dryer 2 is equipped with light-emitting unit 30, multiple (two in this embodiment) light-receiving units 32 (32a, 32b), and control unit 100. The number of light-receiving units 32 is not particularly limited. In a modified example, clothes dryer 2 may be equipped with three or more light-receiving units 32.

[0027] Example 1 In the first embodiment, the light emitting unit 30 is attached to the lower surface of the cover member 62 of the filter unit 6. The light emitting unit 30 is arranged to face the filter 60. The light emitting unit 30 is arranged upstream of the filter 60 in the flow direction of air flowing through the dry air duct 20 (more specifically, the exhaust air duct 21 of the dry air duct 20). The light emitting unit 30 can emit light toward the filter 60. The light emitting unit 30 emits light from the upstream side toward the downstream side of the dry air duct 20.

[0028] The light-emitting unit 30 includes, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED). When the light-emitting unit 30 is a light-emitting diode (LED), it emits diffused light that travels while diffusing toward the filter 60. In a modified example, the light-emitting unit 30 may include a laser diode (LD). When the light-emitting unit 30 is a laser diode (LD), it emits laser light that travels straight toward the filter 60.

[0029] The light emitted from the light-emitting unit 30 is not blocked by the rotating member 68 of the filter unit 6. The rotating member 68 does not impede the progression of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 30. The light emitted from the light-emitting unit 30 progresses through the frame of the rotating member 68, which is configured in a frame shape. If the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 30 is blocked by the rotating member 68, the surface of the rotating member 68 may be subjected to a process to suppress light reflection. The rotating member 68 may also be made from a material that suppresses light reflection or a material that transmits light.

[0030] The multiple light receiving units 32 (first light receiving unit 32a and second light receiving unit 32b) are arranged downstream of the filter 60 in the flow direction of air flowing through the dry air duct 20 (more specifically, the exhaust air duct 21 of the dry air duct 20). The multiple light receiving units 32 are arranged on the opposite side of the filter 60 from the light emitting unit 30. The multiple light receiving units 32 are attached, for example, to the inner surface of the exhaust air duct 21 downstream of the filter 60. The multiple light receiving units 32 are arranged to face the filter 60. The multiple light receiving units 32 are arranged at positions spaced apart from one another. Each light receiving unit 32 can receive light emitted from the light emitting unit 30 and passed through the filter 60. Each light receiving unit 32 includes, for example, a photodiode (PD).

[0031] The control unit 100 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and executes various controls and processes related to the clothes dryer 2 according to a predetermined program. For example, the control unit 100 determines the clogging state of the filter 60 based on the light received by the multiple light receiving units 32.

[0032] Next, an example of a process for determining the clogged state of the filter 60 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In the first embodiment, when no lint is trapped in the filter 60 and the light emitter 30 emits light toward the filter 60, the amount of light received by the light receiver 32 is set to 100%. In this case, as shown in Fig. 5, if the amount of light received by the first light receiver 32a is less than a predetermined first reference value Th1 (e.g., 70%) and the amount of light received by the second light receiver 32b is also less than the first reference value Th1, the control unit 100 determines that the filter 60 is clogged.

[0033] On the other hand, if the amount of light received by the first light receiving unit 32a is greater than or equal to the first reference value Th1 and the amount of light received by the second light receiving unit 32b is greater than or equal to the first reference value Th1, the control unit 100 determines that the filter 60 is in a non-clogged state.

[0034] Furthermore, if the amount of light received by one of the light receiving units 32 (the first light receiving unit 32a or the second light receiving unit 32b) is greater than or equal to a predetermined first reference value Th1 and the amount of light received by the other light receiving unit 32 (the first light receiving unit 32a or the second light receiving unit 32b) is less than the predetermined first reference value Th1, the control unit 100 determines that the filter 60 is partially clogged.

[0035] If the amount of light received by either one of the light receiving sections 32 (the first light receiving section 32a or the second light receiving section 32b) is less than a predetermined second reference value Th2 (for example, 5%), the control section 100 may determine that lint has adhered to that light receiving section 32 (the first light receiving section 32a or the second light receiving section 32b), causing the light receiving section 32 to be unable to receive sufficient light. In a modified example, if the amount of light received by either one of the light receiving sections 32 is less than the predetermined second reference value Th2, the control section 100 may determine that lint has adhered to the light emitting section 30, causing the light emitting section 30 to be unable to emit sufficient light. The second reference value Th2 is a value less than the first reference value Th1.

[0036] (effect) The above has described the clothes dryer 2 of Example 1. As is clear from the above description, the clothes dryer 2 includes a light-emitting unit 30 that emits light toward the filter 60, a plurality of light-receiving units 32 that receive the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 30 via the filter 60, and a control unit 100 (an example of a determination unit) that determines the clogging state of the filter 60 based on the light received by the plurality of light-receiving units 32.

[0037] According to this configuration, by using a plurality of light receiving units 32, it is possible to receive light from multiple angles through the filter 60, and to check the state of the filter 60 from multiple angles. This makes it possible to accurately determine the clogging state of the filter 60.

[0038] The plurality of light receiving units 32 are arranged on the opposite side of the filter 60 from the light emitting unit 30. With this configuration, light emitted from the light emitting unit 30 and passed through the filter 60 can be received from multiple angles, making it possible to accurately determine the clogging state of the filter 60.

[0039] The light-emitting unit 30 may emit diffused light that is diffused toward the filter 60. With this configuration, it is possible to irradiate a wide area of ​​the filter 60 with light, and it is possible to check the state of the filter 60 over a wide area, so that it is possible to accurately determine the clogging state of the filter 60.

[0040] In a modified example, the light emitting unit 30 may emit laser light that travels straight toward the filter 60. With this configuration, it is possible to irradiate the filter 60 with strong light, and the state of the filter 60 can be confirmed by the strong light, so that the clogging state of the filter 60 can be determined with high accuracy.

[0041] The clothes dryer 2 also includes a filter unit 6 that holds a filter 60, and the filter 60 can be moved in and out of the drying air duct 20. The light-emitting unit 30 is provided in the filter unit 6. With this configuration, even if lint adheres to the light-emitting unit 30, the light-emitting unit 30 can be easily cleaned. Furthermore, the effort required to install the light-emitting unit 30 in the drying air duct 20 can be reduced.

[0042] Furthermore, with a configuration in which the plurality of light receiving sections 32 are arranged downstream of the filter 60, the lint is captured by the filter 60, thereby preventing the lint from adhering to the plurality of light receiving sections 32. This allows the clogging state of the filter 60 to be determined with high accuracy.

[0043] (Variation) In the first embodiment described above, the light-emitting unit 30 is disposed upstream of the filter 60 and the plurality of light-receiving units 32 are disposed downstream of the filter 60 in the flow direction of the air flowing through the dry air duct 20. However, this configuration is not limiting. In a modified example, the plurality of light-receiving units 32 may be disposed upstream of the filter 60 and the light-emitting unit 30 may be disposed downstream of the filter 60.

[0044] Although the first embodiment has been described above, the aspect of the clothes dryer 2 is not limited to the above embodiment. In the following description, detailed description of the same configuration as that described above may be omitted.

[0045] Example 2 6 , among the plurality of light receiving sections 32 (first light receiving section 32a and second light receiving section 32b), some of the light receiving sections 32 (for example, the first light receiving section 32a) are arranged on the opposite side of the filter 60 from the light emitting section 30, and some of the other light receiving sections 32 (for example, the second light receiving section 32b) are arranged on the same side of the filter 60 as the light emitting section 30. In the flow direction of air flowing through the dry air duct 20, some of the light receiving sections 32 (for example, the first light receiving section 32a) are arranged downstream of the filter 60, and some of the other light receiving sections 32 (for example, the second light receiving section 32b) are arranged upstream of the filter 60.

[0046] The light receiving unit 32 (e.g., the second light receiving unit 32b) arranged on the same side as the light emitting unit 30 (upstream of the filter 60) is attached, for example, to the underside of the cover member 62 of the filter unit 6. The light receiving unit 32 (e.g., the second light receiving unit 32b) arranged on the same side as the light emitting unit 30 can receive light emitted from the light emitting unit 30 and reflected by the filter 60. In a modified example, a light-shielding rib may be provided between the light emitting unit 30 and the second light receiving unit 32b so that the second light receiving unit 32b on the same side as the light emitting unit 30 does not directly receive light emitted from the light emitting unit 30.

[0047] Although the light-emitting unit 30 in the second embodiment is disposed upstream of the filter 60, the light-emitting unit 30 may be disposed downstream of the filter 60 in a modified example.

[0048] Next, an example of a process for determining the clogging state of the filter 60 in Example 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In Example 2, for the light receiving unit 32 (e.g., the first light receiving unit 32a) on the opposite side of the light emitting unit 30 (e.g., downstream side of the filter 60), when the light emitting unit 30 emits light toward the filter 60 in a state where no lint is captured by the filter 60, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 32 (e.g., the first light receiving unit 32a) is set to 100%.

[0049] On the other hand, with regard to the light receiving unit 32 (e.g., the second light receiving unit 32b) on the same side as the light emitting unit 30 (e.g., the upstream side of the filter 60), when lint is captured in the filter 60 and the light emitting unit 30 emits light toward the filter 60, if the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 32 (e.g., the first light receiving unit 32a) on the opposite side of the light emitting unit 30 is 0%, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 32 (e.g., the second light receiving unit 32b) on the same side as the light emitting unit 30 (e.g., the upstream side of the filter 60) is set to 100%.

[0050] 7, if the amount of light received by the first light-receiving unit 32a on the opposite side from the light-emitting unit 30 is less than a predetermined third reference value Th3 (e.g., 70%) and the amount of light received by the second light-receiving unit 32b on the same side as the light-emitting unit 30 is equal to or greater than a predetermined fourth reference value Th4 (e.g., 30%), the control unit 100 determines that the filter 60 is clogged. Note that the fourth reference value Th4 is a value less than the third reference value Th3.

[0051] On the other hand, if the amount of light received by the first light receiving unit 32a on the opposite side from the light emitting unit 30 is equal to or greater than a predetermined third reference value Th3, and the amount of light received by the second light receiving unit 32b on the same side as the light emitting unit 30 is less than a predetermined fourth reference value Th4, the control unit 100 determines that the filter 60 is in a non-clogged state.

[0052] Furthermore, if the amount of light received by the first light-receiving unit 32a on the opposite side from the light-emitting unit 30 is equal to or greater than a predetermined third reference value Th3 and the amount of light received by the second light-receiving unit 32b on the same side as the light-emitting unit 30 is equal to or greater than a predetermined fourth reference value Th4, the control unit 100 determines that the filter 60 is in a partially clogged state. Similarly, if the amount of light received by the first light-receiving unit 32a on the opposite side from the light-emitting unit 30 is less than the predetermined third reference value Th3 and the amount of light received by the second light-receiving unit 32b on the same side as the light-emitting unit 30 is less than the predetermined fourth reference value Th4, the control unit 100 determines that the filter 60 is in a partially clogged state.

[0053] (effect) The above has described the clothes dryer 2 of Example 2. As is clear from the above description, in Example 2, some of the plurality of light receiving units 32a, 32b (for example, first light receiving unit 32a) are arranged on the opposite side of the filter 60 from the light emitting unit 30, and other of the plurality of light receiving units 32a, 32b (for example, second light receiving unit 32b) are arranged on the same side of the filter 60 as the light emitting unit 30.

[0054] According to this configuration, the clogging state of the filter 60 can be determined based on the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 30 and passing through the filter 60, and the light reflected by the filter 60, so that the clogging state of the filter 60 can be determined from multiple angles. This allows the clogging state of the filter 60 to be determined with high accuracy.

[0055] (Variation) In a modified example, a plurality of light receiving units 32 may be arranged on the same side and the opposite side as the light emitting unit 30. That is, a plurality of light receiving units 32 may be arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the filter 60 in the flow direction of air flowing through the dry air duct 20.

[0056] Example 3 In Example 3, as shown in FIG. 8, the light-emitting unit 30 and the multiple light-receiving units 32 (first light-receiving unit 32a and second light-receiving unit 32b) are arranged on the same side with the filter 60 interposed therebetween. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the light-emitting unit 30 and the multiple light-receiving units 32 are arranged downstream of the filter 60 in the flow direction of air flowing through the dry air duct 20. The light-emitting unit 30 and the multiple light-receiving units 32 are attached, for example, to the inner surface of the exhaust air duct 21 downstream of the filter 60. Note that, in a modified example, the light-emitting unit 30 and the multiple light-receiving units 32 may be arranged upstream of the filter 60. In this case, the light-emitting unit 30 and the multiple light-receiving units 32 are attached, for example, to the lower surface of the cover member 62 of the filter unit 6.

[0057] Next, an example of a process for determining the clogged state of the filter 60 in the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In the third embodiment, when a sufficient amount of lint is captured in the filter 60, the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 32 when the light-emitting unit 30 emits light toward the filter 60 is set to 100%. Note that the amount of captured lint that serves as the basis for 100% can be changed as appropriate. In this case, as shown in Fig. 9, if the amount of light received by the first light-receiving unit 32a is equal to or greater than a predetermined fifth reference value Th5 (e.g., 30%) and the amount of light received by the second light-receiving unit 32b is equal to or greater than the predetermined fifth reference value Th5, the control unit 100 determines that the filter 60 is clogged.

[0058] On the other hand, if the amount of light received by the first light receiving unit 32a is less than the fifth reference value Th5 and the amount of light received by the second light receiving unit 32b is less than the fifth reference value Th5, the control unit 100 determines that the filter 60 is in a non-clogged state.

[0059] Furthermore, if the amount of light received by one of the light receiving units 32 (the first light receiving unit 32a or the second light receiving unit 32b) is less than a predetermined fifth reference value Th5 and the amount of light received by the other light receiving unit 32 (the first light receiving unit 32a or the second light receiving unit 32b) is greater than or equal to the predetermined fifth reference value Th5, the control unit 100 determines that the filter 60 is partially clogged.

[0060] (effect) The clothes dryer 2 of Example 3 has been described above. As is clear from the above description, in Example 3, multiple light receiving units 32 (first light receiving unit 32a and second light receiving unit 32b) are arranged on the same side as the light emitting unit 30, with the filter 60 interposed therebetween. With this configuration, light emitted from the light emitting unit 30 and reflected by the filter 60 can be received from multiple angles, making it possible to accurately determine the clogging state of the filter 60.

[0061] Furthermore, with a configuration in which the light-emitting unit 30 and the plurality of light-receiving units 32 are arranged downstream of the filter 60, the lint is captured by the filter 60, thereby preventing lint from adhering to the light-emitting unit 30 and the plurality of light-receiving units 32. This allows the clogging state of the filter 60 to be determined with high accuracy.

[0062] (Variation) (1) In each of the above-described embodiments, the filter 60 is arranged in the exhaust air duct 21 in a curved state, but this configuration is not limiting. In a modified example, the filter 60 may be arranged in the exhaust air duct 21 in a flat state. Furthermore, the entire area of ​​the filter 60 does not have to be flat, and only a portion of the area of ​​the filter 60 may be flat. In this case, the light-emitting unit 30 may emit light toward the flat portion of the filter 60. With this configuration, since the filter 60 is flat, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 30 is more likely to be reflected by the filter 60 (or more likely to pass through the filter 60), making it possible to accurately determine the clogging state of the filter 60.

[0063] (2) The position at which the light-emitting unit 30 irradiates the filter 60 with light is not particularly limited. For example, the light-emitting unit 30 may irradiate light toward a curved portion of the filter 60. Alternatively, the light-emitting unit 30 may irradiate light toward a flat portion of the filter 60. Alternatively, the light-emitting unit 30 may irradiate light toward the center of the filter 60. Alternatively, the light-emitting unit 30 may irradiate light toward the peripheral portion of the filter 60.

[0064] (3) The mounting position of the light-emitting unit 30 is not particularly limited. For example, the light-emitting unit 30 may be mounted on the inner surface of the exhaust air duct 21. The light-emitting unit 30 may be mounted on any of the upper, lower, or side surfaces of the inner surface of the exhaust air duct 21. The light-emitting unit 30 may also be mounted on a separate support member.

[0065] (4) The mounting positions of the multiple light receiving units 32 are not particularly limited. For example, the multiple light receiving units 32 may be mounted on the underside of the cover member 62 of the filter unit 6. The multiple light receiving units 32 may be mounted on the upper, lower, or side of the inner surface of the exhaust air duct 21. The multiple light receiving units 32 may also be mounted on a separate support member.

[0066] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives itself has technical utility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 2: clothes dryer, 4: housing, 6: filter unit, 10: outer tub, 12: inner tub, 20: drying air duct, 21: exhaust air duct, 22: heat exchange air duct, 23: intake air duct, 30: light emitting unit, 32: light receiving unit, 40: door, 42: opening, 44: insertion port, 60: filter, 62: cover member, 64: insertion member, 66: holding member, 68: rotating member, 69: cleaning member, 71: exhaust port, 72: intake port, 100: control unit

Claims

1. A clothes dryer capable of performing a drying operation to dry clothes, A drying air duct through which air for drying clothes flows; a filter disposed in the drying air duct so as to cross the drying air duct and configured to capture lint contained in air flowing through the drying air duct; a light emitting unit that emits light toward the filter; a plurality of light receiving units that receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit through the filter; a determining unit that determines a clogging state of the filter based on the light received by the plurality of light receiving units.

2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light receiving units are arranged on the opposite side of the filter from the light emitting unit, and receive light that is emitted from the light emitting unit and passes through the filter.

3. 2. The clothes dryer of claim 1, wherein some of the plurality of light-receiving units are arranged on the opposite side of the filter from the light-emitting unit and receive light that has been emitted from the light-emitting unit and passed through the filter, and other some of the plurality of light-receiving units are arranged on the same side of the filter as the light-emitting unit and receive light that has been emitted from the light-emitting unit and reflected by the filter.

4. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light receiving units are arranged on the same side as the light emitting unit with the filter interposed therebetween, and receive light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the filter.

5. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the light emitting unit emits diffused light that is diffused toward the filter.

6. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the light emitting unit emits a laser beam that travels straight toward the filter.

7. a filter unit for holding the filter, the filter being movable into and out of the drying air duct; The clothes dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the light emitting unit is provided in the filter unit.

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