Clothing dryer

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of detecting drying unevenness of clothing.SOLUTION: A clothing dryer includes: a rotary tub for storing clothing; a motor for rotationally driving the rotary tub; an electromagnetic wave sensor for detecting a water content contained in the clothing in the rotary tub; and a control part. The electromagnetic wave sensor is arranged so as to radiate electromagnetic waves toward an inner peripheral surface of the rotary tub. The control part can execute detection processing for detecting the water content contained in the clothing in the rotary tub based on the detection result of the electromagnetic sensor, and when executing the detection processing, it executes the detection processing in a state where the rotary tub is made to rotate at equal to or greater than a predetermined standard rotational frequency so that the clothing in the rotary tub attaches to the inner peripheral surface of the rotary tub.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a washing machine that includes a tub for storing clothes, a sensor for measuring the reflectance of light of a specific wavelength from the clothes in the tub, a determination means for determining the amount of moisture held by the clothes from the measurement results of the sensor, and an operation control means for controlling operation using the determination of the determination means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-083105 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The washing machine of Patent Document 1 can determine the amount of moisture held by the clothes in the tub, but the amount of moisture held by the clothes in the tub is not necessarily uniform across the entirety of the clothes. For example, when there is a large amount of clothes in the tub, there may be areas of the clothes in the tub that hold a large amount of moisture (i.e., areas where the clothes are too wet) and areas that hold a small amount of moisture (i.e., areas where the clothes are too dry). In other words, uneven drying may occur across the entirety of the clothes in the tub. In such cases, the washing machine of Patent Document 1 cannot detect uneven drying of the clothes. This specification therefore provides a technology that can detect uneven drying of clothes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The clothes dryer disclosed in this specification includes a rotatable tub that stores clothes, a motor that rotates the rotatable tub, an electromagnetic wave sensor that detects the amount of moisture contained in the clothes in the rotatable tub, and a control unit. The electromagnetic wave sensor is positioned to irradiate electromagnetic waves toward the inner circumferential surface of the rotatable tub. The control unit is capable of performing a detection process to detect the amount of moisture contained in the clothes in the rotatable tub based on the detection result of the electromagnetic wave sensor. When performing the detection process, the control unit performs the detection process while rotating the rotatable tub at a rotation speed equal to or greater than a predetermined reference rotation speed so that the clothes in the rotatable tub stick to the inner circumferential surface of the rotatable tub. [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] 1 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1) schematically showing a clothes dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the moisture content of the clothing of the example and the transmission loss of electromagnetic waves. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart of a process executed by a control unit of the embodiment. [Figure 5] Graph (1) showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotating tub and the detection signal of the electromagnetic wave sensor in the embodiment. [Figure 6] Graph (2) showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotating tub and the detection signal of the electromagnetic wave sensor in the embodiment. [Figure 7] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a rotation operation of a rotating tank for eliminating uneven drying in an embodiment. [Figure 8] Graph (3) showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotating tub and the detection signal of the electromagnetic wave sensor in the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a clothes dryer according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A clothes dryer 2 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clothes dryer 2 includes a housing 4, a water tub 10 disposed within the housing 4, a rotatable tub 12 disposed within the water tub 10, and a control unit 100 disposed within the housing 4. The clothes dryer 2 also includes a water supply channel 50, a drain channel 55, and a drying air duct 20 connected to the water tub 10. The clothes dryer 2 also includes a steam device 90 and an electromagnetic wave sensor 30. The clothes dryer 2 is capable of performing a drying operation to dry clothes contained in the rotatable tub 12. The clothes dryer 2 according to the embodiment is a washer-dryer capable of performing a washing operation to wash clothes contained in the rotatable tub 12.

[0008] Housing 4 of clothes dryer 2 houses water tub 10 and rotatable tub 12. An opening 42 is provided in the front of housing 4 for inserting and removing clothes from rotatable tub 12. Opening 42 communicates with the interior of water tub 10 and rotatable tub 12. In addition, a door 40 for opening and closing opening 42 is provided in the front of housing 4.

[0009] The water tub 10 and rotatable tub 12 within 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 water tub 10 is capable of storing water for washing. The rotatable tub 12, which is arranged within the water tub 10, is capable of storing clothes during the washing and drying operations of the clothes dryer 2. The rotatable tub 12 is arranged within the water tub 10 in a rotatable state, and is rotated by the drive of a motor 14.

[0010] The upstream end of the water supply line 50 is connected to a water supply source (e.g., a water mains), and the downstream end is connected to the top of the aquarium 10. The water supply line 50 supplies water from the water supply source into the aquarium 10. A water supply valve 52 is provided in the water supply line 50, and water is supplied into the aquarium 10 when the water supply valve 52 is opened.

[0011] The upstream end of drainage channel 55 is connected to water tank 10, and the downstream end is connected to a drainage destination (e.g., a drain pan). Drainage channel 55 discharges water discharged from water tank 10 to the drainage destination. Drainage channel 55 is provided with drainage valve 57, and when drainage valve 57 opens, the water in water tank 10 is discharged to the drainage destination.

[0012] Drying air duct 20 is a path through which air flows to dry the clothes. Drying air duct 20 has its upstream and downstream ends connected to water tub 10. Drying air duct 20 circulates the air discharged from water tub 10 and rotatable tub 12 and returns it to water tub 10 and rotatable tub 12.

[0013] Drying air duct 20 includes, in order from the upstream side, exhaust air duct 21, heat exchange air duct 22, and intake air duct 23. The upstream end of exhaust air duct 21 is connected to exhaust port 71 provided at the top of water tub 10. During drying operation, air inside water tub 10 and rotating tub 12 is discharged into exhaust air duct 21 through exhaust port 71. The downstream end of exhaust air duct 21 is connected to heat exchange air duct 22. Air flowing through exhaust air duct 21 is sent to heat exchange air duct 22.

[0014] 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.

[0015] An evaporator and a condenser (neither shown) of heat pump 80 are disposed in heat exchange air duct 22. The evaporator and condenser of heat pump 80 dehumidify and heat the air flowing in heat exchange air duct 22. As a result, the air supplied to water tub 10 and rotating tub 12 during the drying operation is dehumidified and heated. The principle of heat pump 80 is already known, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0016] 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.

[0017] The upstream end of intake air duct 23 is connected to heat exchange air duct 22, and the downstream end of intake air duct 23 is connected to air intake port 72 provided at the rear of water tub 10. During the drying operation, air flowing through intake air duct 23 is supplied into water tub 10 and rotatable tub 12 through air intake port 72. The air supplied into rotatable tub 12 dries the clothes in rotatable tub 12.

[0018] Next, the steam device 90 and the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 will be described. The steam device 90 is attached inside the housing 4. The steam device 90 humidifies the clothes in the rotating tub 12 by supplying steam into the rotating tub 12. The steam device 90 is configured to generate steam by, for example, heating water and spray the steam into the rotating tub 12.

[0019] The electromagnetic wave sensor 30 is a sensor for detecting the amount of moisture contained in the clothes in the rotatable tub 12. More specifically, the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 is a sensor for detecting uneven drying of the clothes in the rotatable tub 12 by detecting the amount of moisture contained in the clothes in the rotatable tub 12. The electromagnetic wave sensor 30 is attached inside the housing 4. The electromagnetic wave sensor 30 includes an irradiator 32 that irradiates electromagnetic waves and a receiver 34 that receives the electromagnetic waves.

[0020] The irradiation unit 32 irradiates electromagnetic waves toward the inside of the rotatable tub 12. More specifically, the irradiation unit 32 irradiates electromagnetic waves toward the inner circumferential surface 12a of the rotatable tub 12. The electromagnetic waves irradiated from the irradiation unit 32 are irradiated onto the clothes inside the rotatable tub 12. The electromagnetic waves irradiated onto the clothes pass through the clothes and are reflected by the inner circumferential surface 12a of the rotatable tub 12, and then pass through the clothes again and return to the electromagnetic wave sensor 30. The receiver 34 receives the electromagnetic waves reflected by the inner circumferential surface 12a of the rotatable tub 12 (reflected waves). The electromagnetic wave sensor 30 transmits a detection signal to the controller 100 according to the intensity of the electromagnetic waves (reflected waves) received by the receiver 34.

[0021] 3, when the moisture content of the clothes onto which the electromagnetic waves from the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 are irradiated is low (i.e., when the amount of moisture contained in the clothes is small), the transmission loss of the electromagnetic waves passing through the clothes is small. Therefore, in this case, the intensity of the electromagnetic waves (reflected waves) returning to the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 becomes strong. In other words, when the clothes onto which the electromagnetic waves are irradiated are too dry, the intensity of the electromagnetic waves (reflected waves) returning to the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 becomes strong.

[0022] On the other hand, if the moisture content of the clothes onto which the electromagnetic waves from the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 are irradiated is high (i.e., if the clothes contain a lot of moisture), the transmission loss of the electromagnetic waves passing through the clothes increases. Therefore, in this case, the strength of the electromagnetic waves (reflected waves) returning to the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 becomes weak. In other words, if the clothes onto which the electromagnetic waves are irradiated are too wet, the strength of the electromagnetic waves (reflected waves) returning to the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 becomes weak.

[0023] The control unit 100 (see FIG. 1) of the clothes dryer 2 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and executes various controls and processes related to the clothes dryer 2 based on a predetermined program. The controls and processes executed by the control unit 100 will be described later.

[0024] Next, the process executed by the control unit 100 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The process of Fig. 4 is a process for detecting uneven drying of the clothes in the rotatable tub 12. Furthermore, the process of Fig. 4 is a process for executing control to eliminate uneven drying when there is uneven drying of the clothes in the rotatable tub 12. The process of Fig. 4 is started, for example, when the drying operation of the clothes dryer 2 is completed.

[0025] In S2 of the process in FIG. 4, the control unit 100 starts the rotation of the rotatable tub 12. The control unit 100 rotates the rotatable tub 12 by driving the motor 14. In the following S4, the control unit 100 determines whether the rotation speed of the rotatable tub 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference rotation speed. The reference rotation speed of the rotatable tub 12 is a rotation speed at which clothes in the rotatable tub 12 stick to the inner circumferential surface 12a of the rotatable tub 12. When the rotation speed of the rotatable tub 12 is equal to or greater than the reference rotation speed, the clothes in the rotatable tub 12 stick to the inner circumferential surface 12a of the rotatable tub 12. If the rotation speed of the rotatable tub 12 reaches the reference rotation speed (YES in S4), the process proceeds to S6. The control unit 100 continues to maintain the rotation speed of the rotatable tub 12 at or greater than the reference rotation speed. On the other hand, if the rotation speed of the rotatable tub 12 is less than the reference rotation speed (NO in S4), the process in S4 continues.

[0026] In S6 after YES in S4, the control unit 100 starts detection by the electromagnetic wave sensor 30. In detection by the electromagnetic wave sensor 30, the irradiator 32 of the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 irradiates electromagnetic waves toward the inner circumferential surface 12a of the rotatable tub 12. When the rotatable tub 12 is rotating at a rotation speed equal to or greater than the reference rotation speed (see S4), the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the irradiator 32 are irradiated onto the clothes adhering to the inner circumferential surface 12a of the rotatable tub 12. The electromagnetic waves irradiated onto the clothes pass through the clothes and are reflected by the inner circumferential surface 12a of the rotatable tub 12, then pass through the clothes again and return to the electromagnetic wave sensor 30. The receiver 34 of the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 receives the electromagnetic waves reflected by the inner circumferential surface 12a of the rotatable tub 12 (reflected waves). The electromagnetic wave sensor 30 transmits a detection signal to the control unit 100 corresponding to the intensity of the electromagnetic waves (reflected waves) received by the receiver 34.

[0027] In the next step S8, the control unit 100 acquires a detection signal from the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 at each predetermined rotation angle of the rotating tub 12 while the rotating tub 12 is rotating. For example, the control unit 100 acquires a detection signal from the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 at each 30° rotation angle, starting from 0° when the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 starts detecting the rotating tub 12 (see S6) (see FIG. 5 or 6). That is, the control unit 100 acquires a detection signal from the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 at each 30° rotation of the rotating tub 12. The predetermined rotation angle is not particularly limited. The reference point for the rotation angle is also not particularly limited. For example, the reference point for the rotation angle may be the 6 o'clock position (the lowest point) of the rotating tub 12.

[0028] The control unit 100 rotates the rotating tub 12 at least one revolution between the start and end of detection by the electromagnetic wave sensor 30. The control unit 100 acquires detection signals over a period of at least one revolution of the rotating tub 12. In S10 following S8, the control unit 100 determines whether or not a predetermined number of detection signals have been acquired (for example, 12 when the predetermined rotation angle is 30°). If the answer is YES in S10, the process proceeds to S12. If the answer is NO in S10, the process of acquiring detection signals (see S8) continues.

[0029] In S12 after YES in S10, the control unit 100 ends detection by the electromagnetic wave sensor 30. In the following S14, the control unit 100 calculates the median Sm (see FIG. 5 or 6) of the multiple (e.g., 12) acquired detection signals. In a modified example, the control unit 100 may calculate the average value of the multiple acquired detection signals instead of the median.

[0030] In the next step S16, the control unit 100 determines whether or not an outlier Sx (see FIG. 5 or FIG. 6) exists among the acquired multiple detection signals. The outlier Sx of a detection signal is a value that significantly deviates from the median Sm. Whether or not a detection signal is an outlier Sx is determined based on a predetermined first threshold St1 (see FIG. 5) and second threshold St2 (see FIG. 6). The first threshold St1 is a value greater than the median Sm of the detection signals. The second threshold St2 is a value smaller than the median Sm of the detection signals. The outlier Sx of a detection signal is a value greater than the first threshold St1 or a value smaller than the second threshold St2.

[0031] When the detection signal is an outlier Sx greater than the first threshold value St1, the intensity of the electromagnetic waves (reflected waves) received by the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 is high, and the moisture content of the clothes irradiated with the electromagnetic waves is low. In other words, the clothes are overly dry. In this state, the moisture content of the clothes is less than the predetermined first moisture content threshold.

[0032] On the other hand, if the detection signal is an outlier Sx that is smaller than the second threshold value St2, the intensity of the electromagnetic waves (reflected waves) received by the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 is weak, and the moisture content of the clothes irradiated with the electromagnetic waves is high. In other words, the clothes are too wet. In this state, the moisture content of the clothes is higher than the predetermined second moisture content threshold.

[0033] 4, if an outlier Sx exists in the detection signal (YES in S16), the process proceeds to S 18. If an outlier Sx does not exist in the detection signal (NO in S16), the process in FIG. 4 ends.

[0034] In S18 after YES in S16, the control unit 100 identifies the position Px on the rotatable tub 12 corresponding to the outlier Sx of the detection signal (see FIG. 7). Specifically, the control unit 100 identifies the rotation angle of the rotatable tub 12 corresponding to the outlier Sx of the detection signal. The rotation angle of the rotatable tub 12 is, for example, the rotation angle from the point at which detection by the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 begins. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, the rotation angle of the rotatable tub 12 corresponding to the outlier Sx is 120°. Therefore, the position Px on the rotatable tub 12 corresponding to the outlier Sx is a position shifted 120° in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotatable tub 12 from the reference point of the rotation angle at the point at which detection by the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 begins (for example, the 6 o'clock position of the rotatable tub 12).

[0035] In the next step S20 (see FIG. 4), the control unit 100 stops the rotation of the spin tub 12 when the position Px on the spin tub 12 corresponding to the outlier Sx identified in S18 moves to a position higher than a predetermined reference height Hr (see FIG. 7). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 100 stops the rotation of the spin tub 12 when the position Px moves to the highest position of the spin tub 12. The predetermined reference height Hr is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, two-thirds the height of the spin tub 12. When the position Px moves to a position higher than the reference height Hr, the specific garment Cx stored at the position Px in the spin tub 12 falls. This causes the specific garment Cx corresponding to the outlier Sx of the detection signal (i.e., overly dry or overly wet garment Cx) to fall to the bottom. As a result, the overly dry or overly wet specific garment Cx is stored relatively higher up in the spin tub 12.

[0036] In the next step S22 (see FIG. 4), the control unit 100 determines whether the outlier Sx of the detection signal is a value indicating that the clothes are too wet. In a modified example, it determines whether the outlier Sx is a value indicating that the clothes are too dry. Whether the outlier Sx is a value indicating that the clothes are too wet (or too dry) is determined based on the second threshold St2 (or the first threshold St1) (see FIG. 5 or FIG. 6). If the outlier Sx is a value smaller than the second threshold St2 (see FIG. 6), the outlier Sx is a value indicating that the clothes are too wet. On the other hand, if the outlier Sx is a value larger than the first threshold St1 (see FIG. 5), the outlier Sx is a value indicating that the clothes are too dry.

[0037] If the outlier Sx is a value indicating that the clothes are too wet (YES in S22), the process proceeds to S24. If the outlier Sx is not a value indicating that the clothes are too wet (NO in S22), the process proceeds to S26.

[0038] In S24 after YES in S22, the control unit 100 executes the drying operation. Specifically, the control unit 100 operates the blower fan 81 and the heat pump 80 in the dry air duct 20 to supply dry air into the rotating tub 12. This dries the clothes in the rotating tub 12. In particular, the specific clothes Cx corresponding to the outlier Sx are dried. Then, the process of FIG. 4 ends.

[0039] In S26 after NO in S22, the control unit 100 executes the moistening operation. Specifically, the control unit 100 operates the steam device 90 to supply moist air into the rotating tub 12. This moistens the clothes in the rotating tub 12. In particular, the specific clothes Cx corresponding to the outlier Sx are moistened. Then, the process of FIG. 4 ends.

[0040] (effect) The clothes dryer 2 of the embodiment has been described above. As is clear from the above description, the clothes dryer 2 is equipped with an electromagnetic wave sensor 30 for detecting the amount of moisture contained in the clothes in the rotatable tub 12. The electromagnetic wave sensor 30 is arranged to irradiate electromagnetic waves toward the inner circumferential surface 12a of the rotatable tub 12. The control unit 100 can perform a detection process to detect the amount of moisture contained in the clothes in the rotatable tub 12 based on the detection result of the electromagnetic wave sensor 30. When performing the detection process, the control unit 100 performs the detection process while rotating the rotatable tub 12 at a rotation speed equal to or higher than a predetermined reference rotation speed so that the clothes in the rotatable tub 12 stick to the inner circumferential surface 12a of the rotatable tub 12 (see S4 and subsequent steps in FIG. 4).

[0041] With this configuration, the amount of moisture contained in all the clothes in the rotating tub 12 can be detected, so if there is uneven drying of the clothes in the rotating tub 12, the uneven drying can be detected.

[0042] The control unit 100 rotates the rotatable tub 12 at least one revolution between the start and end of the detection process (between S6 and S12). This configuration allows the amount of moisture contained in the clothes to be detected over the entire circumference of the rotatable tub 12.

[0043] If the control unit 100 determines that there is clothing with a moisture content lower than a predetermined first moisture threshold, or that there is clothing with a moisture content higher than a predetermined second moisture threshold, the control unit 100 stops rotation of the rotatable tub 12 when the clothing moves to a position higher than a predetermined reference height Hr (see S20). With this configuration, if there is uneven drying of the clothing, the specific clothing Cx that is too dry or too wet can be moved to the upper part of the total clothing in the rotatable tub 12. This allows the specific clothing Cx to be exposed at the upper part of the total clothing in the rotatable tub 12, allowing the clothing in the rotatable tub 12 to be treated effectively.

[0044] When the rotation of the spin tub 12 is stopped due to the presence of clothes whose moisture content is determined to be less than the first moisture threshold, the control unit 100 executes a moist operation to supply moist air into the spin tub 12 (see S22, S26). This configuration allows the specific clothes Cx that are too dry to be moistened appropriately.

[0045] When the rotation of the rotatable tub 12 is stopped due to the presence of clothes whose moisture content is determined to be greater than the second moisture threshold, the control unit 100 executes a drying operation to supply dry air into the rotatable tub 12 (see S22 and S24). This configuration allows the specific clothes Cx that are too wet to be dried appropriately.

[0046] (Variation) (1) In a modified example, the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 may scan the electromagnetic waves in the axial direction of the rotatable tub 12 during the processes of S6 to S12 in FIG. 4 (i.e., while the detection process is being performed). This configuration allows the amount of moisture contained in the clothes to be detected along the axial direction of the rotatable tub 12. In this case, the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 may scan the electromagnetic waves in the axial direction of the rotatable tub 12 multiple times during one rotation of the rotatable tub 12. This configuration allows the amount of moisture contained in the clothes to be detected quickly. Alternatively, the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 may scan the electromagnetic waves in the axial direction of the rotatable tub 12 once during multiple rotations of the rotatable tub 12. This configuration allows the amount of moisture contained in the clothes to be detected accurately.

[0047] (2) In the detection by the electromagnetic wave sensor 30, the control unit 100 may obtain an outlier Sx indicating that the clothes are too dry and an outlier Sx indicating that the clothes are too dry. That is, as shown in Fig. 8, the control unit 100 may obtain an outlier Sx1 that is greater than the first threshold value St1 and an outlier Sx2 that is smaller than the second threshold value St2.

[0048] If the control unit 100 determines that an outlier Sx1 greater than the first threshold value St1 and an outlier Sx2 less than the second threshold value St2 are nearby, the control unit 100 may execute an agitation operation to agitate the clothes in the spin tub 12. That is, if the control unit 100 determines that clothes whose moisture content is determined to be less than the first moisture content threshold and clothes whose moisture content is determined to be more than the second moisture content threshold are nearby in the detection process, the control unit 100 may execute an agitation operation to agitate the clothes in the spin tub 12.

[0049] The stirring operation is, for example, an operation in which the rotating tank 12 is alternately rotated clockwise and counterclockwise. Furthermore, a state in which an outlier Sx1 greater than the first threshold value St1 and an outlier Sx2 smaller than the second threshold value St2 are adjacent to each other is, for example, a state in which the difference between the rotation angle of the rotating tank 12 corresponding to the outlier Sx1 and the rotation angle of the rotating tank 12 corresponding to the outlier Sx2 is less than 90°.

[0050] According to the above configuration, when there is a mixture of overly dry clothes and overly wet clothes, they can be agitated.

[0051] (3) In a modified example, the inner circumferential surface 12a of the rotating tub 12 may be configured with projections and recesses as shown in Fig. 9. With this configuration, the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the irradiating unit 32 of the electromagnetic wave sensor 30 can be reflected at an appropriate angle.

[0052] 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]

[0053] 2: clothes dryer, 4: housing, 10: water tub, 12: rotating tub, 12a: inner surface, 14: motor, 20: drying air duct, 21: exhaust air duct, 22: heat exchange air duct, 23: intake air duct, 30: electromagnetic wave sensor, 32: irradiation unit, 34: receiving unit, 40: door, 42: opening, 71: exhaust port, 72: intake port, 80: heat pump, 81: blower fan, 90: steam device, 100: control unit

Claims

1. A clothes dryer, a rotating tub for storing clothes; a motor that rotates the rotating tub; an electromagnetic wave sensor for detecting the amount of moisture contained in the clothes in the rotating tub; a control unit; the electromagnetic wave sensor is disposed so as to irradiate an electromagnetic wave toward an inner peripheral surface of the rotating tub, The control unit A detection process can be executed to detect the amount of moisture contained in the clothes in the spin tub based on the detection result of the electromagnetic wave sensor, When performing the detection process, the clothes dryer rotates the rotating tub at a rotation speed equal to or greater than a predetermined reference rotation speed so that the clothes in the rotating tub stick to the inner surface of the rotating tub.

2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit rotates the rotating tub one or more times between the start and end of the detection process.

3. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electromagnetic wave sensor scans the electromagnetic waves in the axial direction of the rotating tub during the detection process.

4. 3. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein, when the control unit determines in the detection process that there is clothing with a moisture content lower than a predetermined first moisture content threshold, or when the control unit determines that there is clothing with a moisture content higher than a predetermined second moisture content threshold, the control unit stops rotation of the rotating tub when the clothing moves to a position higher than a predetermined reference height due to rotation of the rotating tub.

5. 5. The clothes dryer according to claim 4, wherein the control unit, when stopping rotation of the rotating tub due to the presence of clothes whose moisture content is determined to be less than the first moisture content threshold, performs a wet operation to supply moist air into the rotating tub.

6. 5. The clothes dryer according to claim 4, wherein the control unit, when stopping rotation of the rotating tub due to the presence of clothes determined to contain more moisture than the second moisture threshold, performs a drying operation to supply dry air into the rotating tub.

7. 3. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs an agitation operation to agitate the clothes in the rotating tub when the control unit determines in the detection process that clothes containing less moisture than a predetermined first moisture threshold and clothes containing more moisture than a predetermined second moisture threshold are present in the vicinity.

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