Method of controlling drying operation of bathroom heater / dryer

Abstract

To provide a drying operation control method of a bathroom heater / dryer capable of accurately determining transition to end processing of a drying operation when executing high temperature standby control during execution of the drying operation.SOLUTION: The controller (C1) performs a main determination process (G1) of determining whether the main parameter (Hmax-H) reaches a predetermined main threshold (S103) during the drying operation, and updates the specific parameter (Hmin _ jdg) to the minimum absolute humidity Hmin when an absolute difference between the minimum absolute humidity Hmin and the specific parameter (Hmin _ jdg) is greater than the predetermined main threshold (G3). The specific determination processing M1 to S126 for determining whether or not the specific variables (Hmin _ jdg) are not consecutively updated a predetermined number of times S121 are executed, and when "Yes" is determined in the main determination processing S103 or when "Yes" is determined in the specific determination processing S126, the processing proceeds to the end processing S105 to S107.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling the drying operation of a bathroom heater / dryer. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional method for controlling the drying operation of a bathroom heater / dryer is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this method, the bathroom heater / dryer includes a heating unit, a ventilation unit, humidity detection means, and a control unit.

[0003] The heating unit heats the bathroom by circulating and heating the air in the bathroom. The ventilation unit ventilates the bathroom by exhausting the air in the bathroom to the outside. The humidity detection means detects the absolute humidity in the bathroom. The control unit constantly obtains the current absolute humidity from the humidity detection means and controls heating from the heating unit and ventilation from the ventilation unit to perform a drying operation to dry clothes in the bathroom.

[0004] The ventilation unit is installed as part of the bathroom heater / dryer. In some cases, the ventilation unit is installed externally to the bathroom heater / dryer. Specific examples of this type of ventilation unit include a system in which the ventilation equipment installed in the house also ventilates the bathroom, or an intermediate duct fan in which the ventilation unit is installed in a duct connected to the bathroom heater / dryer.

[0005] During the drying operation, the control unit determines whether the current absolute humidity, which is a value that reflects the progress of drying of the clothes, has decreased to below a predetermined dryness judgment value in accordance with STEP 18 of FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1, and if the determination is "YES," the control unit proceeds to the process of terminating the drying operation in accordance with STEPs 19 to 20 of FIG. 3.

[0006] In addition, in STEP 17 of Figure 3, the control unit determines whether the time during which the maximum absolute humidity and the minimum absolute humidity have not been updated has exceeded a predetermined time, and if the answer is "YES," it proceeds to the above-mentioned termination process, thereby preventing a problem in which the transition to the termination process is delayed, i.e., a so-called "delayed shutdown." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-172693 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In the conventional drying operation control method described above, the control unit may execute high-temperature standby control during the drying operation. This high-temperature standby control is a control that stops the heating unit and enters high-temperature standby mode when the temperature in the bathroom rises to a predetermined standby start temperature, and resumes operation of the heating unit and exits high-temperature standby mode when the temperature in the bathroom falls to a predetermined standby end temperature.

[0009] If the drying operation is performed and the device repeatedly goes into and out of high temperature standby mode, the current absolute humidity may fluctuate in a wavy manner, and in this case, the maximum absolute humidity and minimum absolute humidity are likely to be updated more frequently.

[0010] As a result, in the drying operation control method of Patent Document 1, the control unit finds it difficult to determine that the time during which the maximum absolute humidity and minimum absolute humidity are not updated has exceeded a predetermined time, which makes it more likely that a problem will occur in which the transition to the termination process is delayed even though the drying progress of the clothes is actually sufficient.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to solve the problem of providing a method for controlling the drying operation of a bathroom heater / dryer that can accurately determine the transition to the termination process of the drying operation when high-temperature standby control is performed during the drying operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present invention provides a bathroom heating unit that heats and circulates air in the bathroom; a ventilation unit that exhausts air from the bathroom to the outside to ventilate the bathroom; humidity detection means for detecting the absolute humidity in the bathroom; a control unit that constantly acquires a current absolute humidity from the humidity detection means, and controls heating from the heating unit and ventilation from the ventilation unit to perform a drying operation to dry clothes in the bathroom; A method for controlling the drying operation of a bathroom heater / dryer, comprising: the ventilation unit is provided as part of the bathroom heater / dryer or outside the bathroom heater / dryer, The control unit During the drying operation, if the temperature in the bathroom rises to a predetermined standby start temperature, the system enters a high-temperature standby state in which the heating unit is stopped, and if the temperature drops to a predetermined standby end temperature, the system executes high-temperature standby control in which the system resumes operation of the heating unit and exits the high-temperature standby state. A minimum absolute humidity that is the lowest absolute humidity during a period from when the high temperature standby state is released until when the high temperature standby state is re-entered is acquired, Furthermore, the control unit, during the drying operation, a main determination process for determining whether a main variable has reached a predetermined main threshold value, the main variable being determined based on at least the current absolute humidity and reflecting the degree of drying of the clothes; defining a specific variable such that the minimum absolute humidity is updated as the specific variable when the absolute value of the difference between the minimum absolute humidity and the specific variable is greater than a predetermined specific threshold value, and executing a specific determination process to determine whether the specific variable has not been updated a predetermined number of times in succession; When the main judgment process determines that the main variable has reached the main threshold value, or when the specific judgment process determines that the specific variable has not been updated the predetermined number of times in succession, the process is configured to transition to a termination process that ends the drying operation.

[0013] In the drying operation control method of the present invention, the control unit uses a specific variable, which is updated based on the minimum absolute humidity and a predetermined specific threshold, and the number of consecutive times the specific variable has not been updated, to make a determination during the specific determination process. This allows the control unit to reliably determine that the laundry has sufficiently dried without being confused by fluctuations in the current absolute humidity that occur due to repeated high-temperature standby periods. As a result, the control unit can reliably prevent delays in the transition to the end process.

[0014] Therefore, the method of controlling the drying operation of a bathroom heater / dryer of the present invention can accurately determine when to transition to the termination process of the drying operation when high-temperature standby control is performed during the drying operation.

[0015] The control unit preferably constantly acquires a maximum absolute humidity, which is the maximum value of absolute humidity since the start of the drying operation. In the main determination process, the control unit preferably defines the main variable as the difference between the maximum absolute humidity and the current absolute humidity, and determines whether the main variable is equal to or greater than a main threshold value.

[0016] In this case, the main variable, which is the difference between the maximum absolute humidity and the current absolute humidity, can better reflect the degree of drying progress of the clothes compared to the current absolute humidity used in the drying operation control method of Patent Document 1.

[0017] The humidity detection means preferably detects absolute humidity using a thermistor whose resistance changes depending on the temperature in the bathroom and a relative humidity sensor that detects the relative humidity in the bathroom.The control unit is preferably configured to transition to termination processing when it determines in the specific determination processing that the specific variable has not been updated a predetermined number of times consecutively and the current relative humidity detected by the relative humidity sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined relative humidity threshold.

[0018] In this case, the sensitivity of the thermistor to changes in bathroom temperature differs from the sensitivity of the relative humidity sensor to changes in bathroom relative humidity. This leads to a discrepancy between the rate at which the thermistor's resistance follows changes in bathroom temperature and the rate at which the relative humidity sensor's detection signal follows changes in bathroom relative humidity. As a result, the absolute humidity detected by the humidity detection means may fluctuate with respect to actual changes in bathroom absolute humidity. Such detection characteristics of the humidity detection means tend to exacerbate fluctuations in the current absolute humidity when the appliance repeatedly enters and exits high-temperature standby mode during high-temperature standby control. This can lead to errors in the "determination of whether the maximum and minimum absolute humidity values ​​have not been updated for a predetermined period of time" in the drying operation control method of Patent Document 1. In this regard, the drying operation control method of the present invention allows the control unit to reliably determine whether the laundry has been sufficiently dried in the specific determination process without being confused by fluctuations in the current absolute humidity due to repeated high-temperature standby modes. Furthermore, if the control unit determines that the specific variable has not been updated a predetermined number of times consecutively during the specific judgment process, it further makes a judgment using the current relative humidity detected by the relative humidity sensor, thereby highly reliably preventing the process from proceeding to end the drying operation even when the laundry has not actually dried sufficiently. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the method for controlling the drying operation of a bathroom heater / dryer of the present invention, when high-temperature standby control is performed during the drying operation, it is possible to accurately determine when to transition to the termination process of the drying operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the installation of a bathroom heater / dryer to which a drying operation control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the bathroom heater / dryer according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a drying operation program according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a drying operation program according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a drying operation program according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a first example of a change in the current absolute humidity from the start to the end of the drying operation according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a second example of a change in the current absolute humidity from the start to the end of the drying operation according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating a third example of a change in the current absolute humidity from the start to the end of the drying operation according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a comparative example of the change in the current absolute humidity from the start to the end of the drying operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] (Example) The drying operation control method of the embodiment is applied to bathroom heater / dryer 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The drying operation control method for bathroom heater / dryer 1 is an example of a specific aspect of the drying operation control method for a bathroom heater / dryer of the present invention.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, a house in which bathroom heater / dryer 1 is installed includes a heat source unit 9 and a number of rooms including a bathroom BR, a dressing room DR, and a toilet WR.

[0024] The heat source machine 9 heats water supplied from a water supply source (not shown) to produce hot water, and supplies the hot water to rooms in the house that require hot water, specifically the bathroom BR, the kitchen, and the like.

[0025] Bathroom heater / dryer 1 is installed on the ceiling of bathroom BR. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, bathroom heater / dryer 1 includes a heating unit 2 that heats bathroom BR and a ventilation unit 3 that ventilates bathroom BR, changing room DR, and toilet WR. In this embodiment, ventilation unit 3 is provided as part of bathroom heater / dryer 1.

[0026] Bathroom heater / dryer 1 also includes humidity detection means 5 that detects the absolute humidity in bathroom BR, and control unit C1 that controls heating unit 2 and ventilation unit 3, as shown in FIG.

[0027] <Heating unit> The heating unit 2 has a casing 20, a circulation fan 21, a radiator 22, a thermal valve 23, and a movable louver 24.

[0028] The casing 20 has an inlet and an outlet (not shown) that communicate with the bathroom BR. The casing 20 houses a circulation fan 21, a radiator 22, a thermal valve 23, a movable louver 24, a humidity detection means 5, and a control unit C1.

[0029] The circulation fan 21 is driven by a motor 21M to rotate, drawing in air from the bathroom BR through an intake port (not shown) of the casing 20, and blowing the air out through an outlet port (not shown) of the casing 20, thereby circulating the air in the bathroom BR.

[0030] The radiator 22 has an internal flow path and a plurality of heat dissipation fins arranged in a row on its outer surface. The internal flow path of the radiator 22 is connected to the heat source unit 9 via a hot water circulation path 9P having a forward pipe and a return pipe.

[0031] The thermal valve 23 is disposed near the radiator 22 in the outgoing pipe of the hot water circulation path 9P. The thermal valve 23 opens against the return spring by energizing the heating element to heat it and expand the thermoelement. On the other hand, the thermal valve 23 closes due to the biasing force of the return spring by stopping the energization of the heating element to allow the thermoelement to naturally dissipate heat. In this way, the thermal valve 23 switches between supplying and stopping hot water from the heat source device 9 to the radiator 22.

[0032] With thermal valve 23 open, radiator 22 circulates hot water supplied from heat source unit 9 via the outgoing pipe of hot water circulation path 9P through the internal flow path. Air circulating in bathroom BR due to the operation of circulation fan 21 is heated by coming into contact with the heat dissipation fins of radiator 22. Water that has passed through the internal flow path of radiator 22 is returned to heat source unit 9 via the return pipe of hot water circulation path 9P.

[0033] The movable louvers 24 are disposed near an air outlet (not shown) of the casing 20. The movable louvers 24 are driven by a stepping motor 24M to swing, thereby changing the direction of air blown from the heating unit 2.

[0034] In this way, heating unit 2 heats the air in bathroom BR by circulating the air in bathroom BR with the rotation of circulation fan 21 and heating the air with radiator 22, thereby heating bathroom BR.

[0035] <Ventilation unit> The ventilation unit 3 includes a casing 30 , a ventilation fan 31 and a movable damper 32 .

[0036] The casing 30 is adjacent to the casing 20 of the heating unit 2. The casing 30 has a bathroom air intake 30B, a dressing room air intake 30D, a toilet air intake 30W, and an exhaust vent 30E.

[0037] Bathroom air intake 30B is connected to bathroom BR via casing 20 of heating unit 2. Dressing room air intake 30D is connected to dressing room DR via duct 39D shown in Figure 1. Toilet air intake 30W is connected to toilet WR via duct 39W shown in Figure 1. Exhaust vent 30E is connected to the outdoors via exhaust duct 39E shown in Figure 1.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the ventilation fan 31 is housed in a casing 30 and is driven to rotate by a motor 31M.

[0039] Movable damper 32 is disposed near bathroom air intake port 30B. Movable damper 32 is driven by stepping motor 32M to swing, thereby adjusting the opening and closing and the degree of opening of bathroom air intake port 30B.

[0040] With the movable damper 32 opening the bathroom air intake 30B, the ventilation unit 3 rotates the ventilation fan 31 to exhaust air from the bathroom BR to the outdoors via the bathroom air intake 30B, the exhaust vent 30E and the exhaust duct 39E, thereby ventilating the bathroom BR.

[0041] In addition, the ventilation unit 3 rotates the ventilation fan 31 to exhaust air from inside the changing room DR to the outdoors via the duct 39D, the changing room intake port 30D, the exhaust port 30E and the exhaust duct 39E, thereby ventilating the changing room DR.

[0042] Furthermore, the ventilation unit 3 rotates the ventilation fan 31 to exhaust the air in the toilet WR to the outdoors via the duct 39W, the toilet air intake 30W, the exhaust vent 30E, and the exhaust duct 39E, thereby ventilating the toilet WR.

[0043] Such a ventilation unit 3 may also simultaneously ventilate rooms other than the bathroom BR, specifically the changing room DR and the toilet WR, and therefore the ventilation air volume may change when ventilating the bathroom BR.

[0044] <Humidity detection means> The humidity detection means 5 is disposed near an air inlet (not shown) of the casing 20. The humidity detection means 5 has a thermistor 5A and a relative humidity sensor 5B.

[0045] Thermistor 5A detects temperature Tbr inside bathroom BR by changing its resistance value in accordance with temperature Tbr inside bathroom BR.

[0046] Relative humidity sensor 5B detects the relative humidity in bathroom BR. In this embodiment, relative humidity sensor 5B is a well-known sensor that uses lithium chloride, ceramics, polymers, etc. as a moisture-sensing element that absorbs and desorbs moisture, and measures changes in the amount of water vapor as changes in electrical resistance or capacitance.

[0047] Humidity detection means 5 calculates the absolute humidity in bathroom BR using a conversion formula that uses temperature Tbr in bathroom BR detected by thermistor 5A and relative humidity in bathroom BR detected by relative humidity sensor 5B.

[0048] The humidity detection means 5 has the detection characteristics described below. Specifically, in the humidity detection means 5, the sensitivity of thermistor 5A to changes in temperature Tbr in the bathroom BR differs from the sensitivity of relative humidity sensor 5B to changes in the relative humidity in the bathroom BR. This means that the rate at which the resistance value of thermistor 5A follows changes in temperature Tbr in the bathroom BR is likely to differ from the rate at which the detection signal of relative humidity sensor 5B follows changes in the relative humidity in the bathroom BR. For this reason, the absolute humidity detected by humidity detection means 5 may fluctuate with changes in the actual absolute humidity in the bathroom BR.

[0049] <Control unit> The control unit C1 is an electronic circuit unit including a CPU (not shown), a memory unit C1M composed of memory elements such as ROM and RAM, an interface circuit for sending and receiving signals to and from the controlled object, and a power supply circuit for controlling the power supply to the controlled object.

[0050] Memory unit C1M stores various programs and setting information for operating bathroom heater / dryer 1. Memory unit C1M also stores various information acquired by control unit C1 while bathroom heater / dryer 1 is operating. The programs stored in memory unit C1M include the "drying operation program" shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[0051] The control unit C1 obtains the detection results of the humidity detection means 5, specifically, the temperature Tbr in the bathroom BR, the relative humidity in the bathroom BR, and the absolute humidity in the bathroom BR.

[0052] Furthermore, the control unit C1 controls the heating unit 2 to switch the thermal valve 23 between open and closed states, and to operate and stop the motor 21M and the stepping motor 24M.

[0053] Furthermore, the control unit C1 controls the ventilation unit 3 to activate and stop the motor 31M and the stepping motor 32M.

[0054] As shown in Figure 1, a remote control 7 is installed in the changing room DR or elsewhere, allowing the user to input operations into bathroom heater / dryer 1. Remote control 7 has various switches, such as a constant ventilation switch, a heating switch, a bathroom ventilation switch, and a dry operation switch. A toilet switch 8 is installed in the toilet WR, which turns the lights on and off.

[0055] The control unit C1 acquires information on operation input received by the remote control 7 and an ON / OFF signal from the toilet switch 8, and controls the operation of the heating unit 2 and the ventilation unit 3, respectively.

[0056] For example, when the constant ventilation switch is turned ON, the control unit C1 opens the movable damper 32 of the ventilation unit 3 to a predetermined medium opening and continues to operate the ventilation fan 31 at a predetermined rotation speed to ventilate the bathroom BR, the dressing room DR, and the toilet WR. At this time, when the toilet switch 8 is turned ON, the control unit C1 decreases the opening of the movable damper 32 and increases the rotation speed of the ventilation fan 31, thereby increasing the ventilation airflow for the toilet WR.

[0057] When the heating switch is turned on, the control unit C1 opens the thermal valve 23 of the heating unit 2 to supply hot water to the radiator 22 and activates the circulation fan 21 to heat the bathroom BR. At this time, the control unit C1 adjusts the opening and closing and the opening degree of the movable damper 32 depending on the situation to prevent the warm air in the bathroom BR from being discharged outdoors.

[0058] When the bathroom ventilation switch is turned on, the control unit C1 opens the movable damper 32 of the ventilation unit 3 to the full open position, and operates the ventilation fan 31 to ventilate the bathroom BR.

[0059] <Drying operation> When the drying operation switch is turned ON, the control unit C1 starts the drying operation program shown in Figures 3 to 5, and controls heating from the heating unit 2 and ventilation from the ventilation unit 3 to perform a drying operation to dry clothes in the bathroom BR.

[0060] In addition, in order to prevent the temperature Tbr in the bathroom BR from becoming too high while the drying operation is being performed, the control unit C1 executes high-temperature standby control through step S117 shown in FIG. 4 and steps S118, S131 to S133 shown in FIG. 5.

[0061] The high-temperature standby control is a control that stops the heating unit 2 and enters high-temperature standby mode when the temperature Tbr in the bathroom BR rises to a predetermined standby start temperature Tw1, and resumes operation of the heating unit 2 and exits high-temperature standby mode when the temperature Tbr in the bathroom BR falls to a predetermined standby end temperature Tw2. In this embodiment, as an example, the standby start temperature Tw1 is set to 50.0°C, and the standby end temperature Tw2 is set to 49.0°C.

[0062] When control unit C1 starts the drying operation, in step S101 shown in Figure 3, it operates circulation fan 21, operates ventilation fan 31 with movable damper 32 open to a medium degree, opens thermal valve 23, and commands heat source unit 9 to operate. As a result, heating unit 2 starts heating bathroom BR, and ventilation unit 3 starts ventilating bathroom BR.

[0063] Next, the control unit C1 proceeds to step S102 and starts obtaining the temperature Tbr, current relative humidity Hr, current absolute humidity H, maximum absolute humidity Hmax, and absolute humidity judgment value H_jdg in the bathroom BR.

[0064] The control unit C1 constantly acquires the temperature Tbr, current relative humidity Hr, and current absolute humidity H in the bathroom BR. The current relative humidity Hr is the current relative humidity detected by the relative humidity sensor 5B. The current absolute humidity H is the current absolute humidity detected by the humidity detection means 5.

[0065] The control unit C1 constantly monitors the change in the current absolute humidity H, and updates the maximum absolute humidity Hmax every time the current absolute humidity H becomes the largest.

[0066] The absolute humidity judgment value H_jdg is a secondary variable. When a predetermined condition is satisfied in a secondary judgment process (steps S111 to S113) described later, the control unit C1 updates the current absolute humidity H as a secondary variable (absolute humidity judgment value H_jdg).

[0067] Next, the control unit C1 proceeds to step S103. Step S103 is a main determination process. In step S103, the control unit C1 defines the main variable as a value determined based at least on the current absolute humidity H and reflecting the progress of laundry drying, i.e., the difference between the maximum absolute humidity Hmax and the current absolute humidity H. Then, the control unit C1 determines whether the main variable (maximum absolute humidity Hmax - current absolute humidity H) has reached a predetermined main threshold G1, more specifically, whether it has become equal to or greater than the main threshold G1.

[0068] The main threshold G1 is a so-called dryness determination value, and is set in advance based on the test results of a dryness state evaluation test carried out at the development stage so as to be a value that suppresses erroneous determination of the degree of dryness.

[0069] If the answer is "Yes" in step S103, the control unit C1 determines that the laundry drying has progressed sufficiently, and proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in step S103, the control unit C1 determines that the laundry drying has not progressed sufficiently, and proceeds to step S111 shown in FIG.

[0070] Steps S105 to S107 shown in Fig. 3 are the termination process. That is, when the main determination process (step S103) is "Yes", the control unit C1 proceeds to the termination process (steps S105 to S107).

[0071] When the process proceeds from step S103 to step S105, the control unit C1 determines the remaining time, which is, for example, about 10 to 30 minutes.

[0072] Next, the control unit C1 proceeds to step S106, repeats step S106 until the remaining time expires, and proceeds to step S107 when the remaining time expires.

[0073] When control unit C1 proceeds to step S107, it stops circulation fan 21 and ventilation fan 31, closes thermal valve 23, and instructs heat source unit 9 to stop. As a result, heating unit 2 stops heating bathroom BR, and ventilation unit 3 stops ventilating bathroom BR. Control unit C1 then ends the drying operation program shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[0074] Steps S111 to S113 shown in Fig. 4 are secondary determination processes. When the process proceeds from step S103 shown in Fig. 3 to step S111 shown in Fig. 4, the control unit C1 determines whether the absolute value of the difference between the current absolute humidity H and the secondary variable (absolute humidity determination value H_jdg) is greater than a predetermined secondary threshold G2.

[0075] The sub-threshold value G2 is preset based on the results of a dryness evaluation test conducted during the development stage, etc., so as to be a value that suppresses erroneous determination of the degree of dryness. In this embodiment, as an example, the sub-threshold value G2 is set to 0.25.

[0076] If the answer is "Yes" in step S111, the control unit C1 proceeds to step S112, updates the current absolute humidity H as a secondary variable (absolute humidity judgment value H_jdg), and then proceeds to step S113.

[0077] On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in step S111, the control unit C1 proceeds to step S113.

[0078] When the process proceeds from step S111 or step S112 to step S113, the control unit C1 determines whether or not the secondary variable (absolute humidity judgment value H_jdg) has not been updated for a predetermined time T1 or more.

[0079] The predetermined time T1 is set in advance to a value that prevents erroneous determination of the degree of drying progress, based on the results of a dryness evaluation test conducted at the development stage, etc. In this embodiment, the predetermined time T1 is set to 10 minutes, as an example.

[0080] If the answer is "Yes" in step S113, the control unit C1 determines that the laundry drying has progressed sufficiently, and proceeds to step S114. On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in step S113, the control unit C1 determines that the laundry drying has not progressed sufficiently, and proceeds to step S117.

[0081] That is, in the secondary determination process (steps S111 to S113), the control unit C1 defines that the secondary variable (absolute humidity determination value H_jdg) is updated to the current absolute humidity H when the absolute value of the difference between the current absolute humidity H and the secondary variable (absolute humidity determination value H_jdg) is greater than a predetermined secondary threshold G2. Then, the control unit C1 determines whether the secondary variable (absolute humidity determination value H_jdg) has not been updated for a predetermined time T1 or more.

[0082] When the process proceeds from step S113 to step S114, the control unit C1 determines whether the current relative humidity Hr is equal to or lower than a predetermined relative humidity threshold G4. The relative humidity threshold G4 is a dryness determination value that evaluates the degree of dryness from a different perspective than the main threshold G1.

[0083] The relative humidity threshold G4 is preset based on the test results of a dryness evaluation test carried out at the development stage, so as to be a value that suppresses erroneous determination of the degree of dryness.

[0084] If the answer is "Yes" in step S114, the control unit C1 determines that the determination in step S113 that the laundry has reached a sufficient drying progress is correct, and proceeds to the termination process (steps S105 to S107) shown in FIG.

[0085] In other words, if the control unit C1 determines in the secondary judgment process (steps S111 to S113) that the secondary variable (absolute humidity judgment value H_jdg) has not been updated for a predetermined time T1 or more, it proceeds via step S114 to the termination process (steps S105 to S107).

[0086] On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in step S114 shown in FIG. 4, the control unit C1 determines that the determination in step S113 that the laundry drying progress has reached a sufficient level is incorrect, and proceeds to step S117.

[0087] When the process proceeds from step S113 or step S114 to step S117, the control unit C1 determines whether the temperature Tbr in the bathroom BR is higher than the predetermined standby start temperature Tw1. To prevent erroneous determination, the control unit C1 determines whether the temperature Tbr in the bathroom BR has been higher than the predetermined standby start temperature Tw1 for one minute.

[0088] If the answer is "Yes" in step S117, the control unit C1 determines that it is necessary to start high-temperature standby, and proceeds to step S118 shown in FIG.

[0089] On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in step S117 shown in FIG. 4, the control unit C1 determines that there is no need to start high-temperature standby, and returns to step S103 shown in FIG.

[0090] 4 to step S118 shown in Fig. 5, the control unit C1 enters high-temperature standby by closing the thermal valve 23 to stop the heating unit 2. Then, the control unit C1 proceeds to step S121.

[0091] Steps S121 to S126 are specific determination processing. When the control section C1 moves to step S121, it determines whether or not the high temperature standby state has been entered two or more times.

[0092] If this is the first time the high temperature standby mode has been entered, the result in step S121 is "No" and the process proceeds to step S131. On the other hand, if the high temperature standby mode has been entered two or more times, the result in step S121 is "Yes" and the process proceeds to step S122. The processing contents of steps S122 to S127 will be described later.

[0093] When the process proceeds from step S121 to step S131, the control unit C1 makes the same determination as in the main determination process (step S103).

[0094] If the answer is "Yes" in step S131, the control unit C1 determines that the laundry drying has progressed sufficiently, and proceeds to the termination process (steps S105 to S107) shown in Fig. 3. On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in step S131 shown in Fig. 5, the control unit C1 determines that the laundry drying has not progressed sufficiently, and proceeds to step S132.

[0095] In step S132, control unit C1 determines whether temperature Tbr in bathroom BR is lower than a predetermined standby end temperature Tw2.

[0096] If the answer is "Yes" in step S132, the control unit C1 determines that it is necessary to end the high-temperature standby state, and proceeds to step S133 shown in FIG.

[0097] On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in step S132, the control unit C1 determines that there is no need to end the high-temperature standby state, and repeats steps S131 and S132.

[0098] When the process proceeds from step S132 to step S133, the control unit C1 opens the thermal valve 23 to operate the heating unit 2, thereby ending the high-temperature standby state.

[0099] Next, the control unit C1 proceeds to step S134, starts acquiring the minimum absolute humidity Hmin, and then returns to step S103 shown in FIG. 3. The minimum absolute humidity Hmin is the lowest absolute humidity during the period from when the high temperature standby state is released until when the high temperature standby state is re-entered. The control unit C1 updates the minimum absolute humidity Hmin every time the current absolute humidity H becomes the lowest. The minimum absolute humidity Hmin is not determined until proceeding to step S122 shown in FIG. 5.

[0100] When the process moves from step S121 to step S122, the control unit C1 determines that the high temperature standby state has been exited and the high temperature standby state has been entered again, and determines the minimum absolute humidity Hmin.

[0101] Next, the control unit C1 proceeds to step S123 and determines whether the absolute value of the difference between the minimum absolute humidity Hmin and the minimum absolute humidity judgment value Hmin_jdg is greater than a predetermined specific threshold value G3.

[0102] The minimum absolute humidity judgment value Hmin_jdg is a specific variable. The specific threshold G3 is set in advance based on the results of a dryness evaluation test conducted during the development stage so as to be a value that suppresses erroneous determination of the degree of dryness. In this embodiment, as an example, the specific threshold G3 is set to 0.25.

[0103] If the answer is "Yes" in step S123, the control unit C1 proceeds to step S124, updates the minimum absolute humidity Hmin as a specific variable (minimum absolute humidity judgment value Hmin_jdg), sets the counter variable N1 to 0, and then proceeds to step S131. The counter variable N1 is the number of times the specific variable (minimum absolute humidity judgment value Hmin_jdg) has not been updated consecutively.

[0104] On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in step S123, the control unit C1 proceeds to step S125 and adds 1 to the counter variable N1.

[0105] Next, the control unit C1 proceeds to step S126 and determines whether the number of times (counter variable N1) that the specific variable (minimum absolute humidity judgment value Hmin_jdg) is not updated consecutively is equal to or greater than a predetermined number M1.

[0106] The predetermined number of times M1 is set in advance to a value that suppresses erroneous determination of the degree of drying progress, based on the test results of a dryness state evaluation test conducted at the development stage, etc. In this embodiment, as an example, the predetermined number of times M1 is set to 3 times.

[0107] If the answer is "Yes" in step S126, the control unit C1 determines that the laundry drying has progressed sufficiently, and proceeds to step S127. On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in step S126, the control unit C1 determines that the laundry drying has not progressed sufficiently, and proceeds to step S131.

[0108] That is, in the specific determination process (steps S121 to S126), the control unit C1 defines that the minimum absolute humidity Hmin is updated as the specific variable (minimum absolute humidity determination value Hmin_jdg) when the absolute value of the difference between the minimum absolute humidity Hmin and the specific variable (minimum absolute humidity determination value Hmin_jdg) is greater than a predetermined specific threshold G3. Then, the control unit C1 determines whether the specific variable (minimum absolute humidity determination value Hmin_jdg) has not been updated a predetermined number of times M1 consecutively.

[0109] When the process proceeds from step S126 to step S127, the control unit C1 determines whether the current relative humidity Hr is equal to or lower than a predetermined relative humidity threshold G4. The relative humidity threshold G4 is the same as that in step S114 shown in FIG.

[0110] If the answer is "Yes" in step S127 shown in FIG. 5, the control unit C1 determines that the determination in step S126 that the laundry has reached a sufficient drying progress is correct, and proceeds to the termination process (steps S105 to S107) shown in FIG. 3.

[0111] In other words, if the control unit C1 determines in the specific judgment process (steps S121 to S126) that the specific variable (minimum absolute humidity judgment value Hmin_jdg) has not been updated a predetermined number of times M1 consecutively, it proceeds via step S127 to the termination process (steps S105 to S107).

[0112] On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in step S127 shown in FIG. 5, the control unit C1 determines that the determination in step S126 that the laundry drying progress has reached a sufficient level is incorrect, and proceeds to step S131.

[0113] <First example of change in current absolute humidity from start to finish of drying operation> As shown in FIG. 6, a first example of a change in current absolute humidity H from the start to the end of the drying operation is an example in which the ventilation air volume of bathroom BR remains almost unchanged from the start to the end of the drying operation.

[0114] In the first example, in the first stage A1, a large amount of moisture is released from the clothes, causing the current absolute humidity H to rise. In the second stage A2, the balance between the release of moisture from the clothes and the discharge of moisture from the bathroom BR becomes approximately equal, making it difficult for the current absolute humidity H to change.

[0115] In the third stage A3, the amount of moisture released from the clothes gradually decreases, causing the current absolute humidity H to decrease. Then, in the fourth stage A4, the primary variable (maximum absolute humidity Hmax - current absolute humidity H) reaches the predetermined primary threshold G1. As a result, the control unit C1 determines that the clothes have been dried sufficiently.

[0116] <Second example of change in current absolute humidity from the start to the end of drying operation> As shown in Figure 7, the second example of the change in current absolute humidity H from the start to the end of the drying operation is an example where the ventilation air volume in the bathroom BR is high due to the influence of the type and amount of clothes, the temperature and humidity of the outside air, etc.

[0117] In the second example, the first stage B1 and the second stage B2 are the same as the first stage A1 and the second stage A2 in the first example. In the third stage B3, the moisture release from the clothes gradually decreases, and the current absolute humidity H decreases. However, because the ventilation airflow rate in the bathroom BR is high due to the type and amount of clothes, the outside temperature and humidity, etc., the primary variable (maximum absolute humidity Hmax - current absolute humidity H) does not reach the predetermined primary threshold G1.

[0118] In the fourth stage B4, the current absolute humidity H hardly changes, and the secondary variable (absolute humidity judgment value H_jdg) is no longer updated. Then, in the fifth stage B5, the secondary variable (absolute humidity judgment value H_jdg) is not updated for a predetermined time T1 or more. As a result, the control unit C1 can determine that the laundry drying progress is sufficient. Furthermore, the control unit C1 can prevent the control unit C1 from erroneously determining that the laundry drying progress is sufficient and proceeding to the end process (steps S105 to S107) when, in fact, the laundry drying progress is not sufficient.

[0119] <Third example of change in current absolute humidity from the start to the end of drying operation> As shown in FIG. 8, a third example of the change in the current absolute humidity H from the start to the end of the drying operation is an example in which the high temperature standby state is entered and then the high temperature standby state is exited repeatedly.

[0120] In the third example, the first stage C1 and the second stage C2 are the same as the first stage A1 and the second stage A2 in the first example. In the third stage C3, the moisture release from the clothes gradually decreases, and the current absolute humidity H decreases.

[0121] In the fourth stage C4, the current absolute humidity H may fluctuate in an undulating manner due to repeated transitions into and out of high-temperature standby. In particular, the detection characteristics of the humidity detection means 5, which includes the thermistor 5A and relative humidity sensor 5B, tend to promote undulating fluctuations in the current absolute humidity H when the temperature repeatedly transitions into and out of high-temperature standby. The primary variable (maximum absolute humidity Hmax - current absolute humidity H) does not reach the predetermined primary threshold G1. In addition, the secondary variable (absolute humidity judgment value H_jdg) also continues to be updated.

[0122] In the fifth stage C5, the current absolute humidity H continues to fluctuate in a wavy manner, but the specific variable (minimum absolute humidity judgment value Hmin_jdg) is no longer updated. Then, in the sixth stage C6, the specific variable (minimum absolute humidity judgment value Hmin_jdg) is not updated for a predetermined number of times M1. As a result, the control unit C1 can determine that the laundry drying progress has been sufficient. Furthermore, the control unit C1 can reliably prevent delays in the transition to the termination process (steps S105 to S107) due to confusion caused by the wavy fluctuations in the current absolute humidity H.

[0123] <Comparative example of change in current absolute humidity from start to finish of drying operation> As shown in Figure 9, a comparative example of the change in the current absolute humidity H from the start to the end of the drying operation is an example in which, when the ventilation air volume of the bathroom BR decreases during the drying operation, a judgment similar to "determining whether the time during which the maximum absolute humidity and the minimum absolute humidity have not been updated has exceeded a predetermined time (STEP 17)" is made in the drying operation control method of Patent Document 1.

[0124] In the comparative example, the first stage D1 and the second stage D2 are the same as the first stage A1 and the second stage A2 in the first example. In the third stage D3, the moisture release from the clothes gradually decreases, and the current absolute humidity H decreases. The minimum absolute humidity Hmin is updated every predetermined time.

[0125] However, at the end of the third stage D3, the ventilation air volume of the bathroom BR is reduced, so that in the fourth stage D4, the release of moisture from the clothes becomes dominant over the discharge of moisture from the bathroom BR, causing the current absolute humidity H to rise. As a result, the main variable (maximum absolute humidity Hmax - current absolute humidity H) does not reach the predetermined main threshold G1.

[0126] In the fifth stage D5, the maximum absolute humidity Hmax and the minimum absolute humidity Hmin are not updated for a predetermined time or longer. As a result, in the comparative example in which the same determination as in the drying operation control method of Patent Document 1 is made, the control unit C1 erroneously determines that the degree of drying of the clothes is sufficient, even though the degree of drying of the clothes is actually not sufficient, and proceeds to the end process (steps S105 to S107).

[0127] <Action and effect> In the drying operation control method for the bathroom heater / dryer 1 of the embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, in the specific judgment process (steps S121 to S126), the control unit C1 uses a specific variable (minimum absolute humidity judgment value Hmin_jdg) that is updated based on the minimum absolute humidity Hmin and a predetermined specific threshold G3, and the number of times (counter variable N1) that the specific variable (minimum absolute humidity judgment value Hmin_jdg) is not consecutively updated.

[0128] This allows the control unit C1 to reliably determine that the laundry has been sufficiently dried without being confused by the pulsating fluctuations in the current absolute humidity H that accompany repeated high-temperature standby. As a result, the control unit C1 can reliably prevent delays in the transition to the end process (steps S105 to S107).

[0129] Therefore, the drying operation control method for bathroom heater / dryer 1 of the embodiment can accurately determine when to proceed to the drying operation termination process (steps S105 to S107) when high-temperature standby control (steps S117, S118, S131 to S133) is performed during the drying operation.

[0130] In this drying operation control method, the control unit C1 determines whether the primary variable (maximum absolute humidity Hmax - current absolute humidity H) is equal to or greater than the primary threshold value G1 in the primary determination process (step S103), as shown in Fig. 3. This primary variable (maximum absolute humidity Hmax - current absolute humidity H) can better reflect the progress of laundry drying compared to the current absolute humidity H used in the drying operation control method of Patent Document 1.

[0131] Furthermore, in this drying operation control method, as shown in FIG. 2, the humidity detection means 5 detects the absolute humidity in the bathroom BR using a thermistor 5A and a relative humidity sensor 5B. With this configuration, as described above, the absolute humidity detected by the humidity detection means 5 may fluctuate with variations in the actual absolute humidity in the bathroom BR. Such detection characteristics of the humidity detection means 5 tend to exacerbate fluctuations in the current absolute humidity H when the appliance repeatedly enters and exits high-temperature standby mode. This can easily lead to errors in the "determination of whether the time during which the maximum and minimum absolute humidity values ​​have not been updated has exceeded a predetermined time (STEP 17)" in the drying operation control method of Patent Document 1. In this regard, according to the drying operation control method of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit C1 can reliably determine whether the laundry has been sufficiently dried in the specific determination process (steps S121 to S126) without being confused by fluctuations in the current absolute humidity H that accompany repeated high-temperature standby modes. If the answer is "Yes" in step S126, the control unit C1 then makes a further judgment in step S127 using the current relative humidity Hr, thereby highly reliably preventing the process from proceeding to the termination process (steps S105 to S107) even when the laundry drying progress is actually insufficient.

[0132] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0133] In this embodiment, ventilation unit 3 is provided as part of bathroom heater / dryer 1, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the ventilation unit of the present invention may be provided external to the bathroom heater / dryer, connected to the bathroom via a movable damper, and configured as part of a path for exhausting air from the bathroom to the outside. Specific examples of ventilation units in this case include a configuration in which the ventilation equipment installed in the house also ventilates the bathroom, or an intermediate duct fan in which the ventilation unit is installed in a duct connected to the bathroom heater / dryer. Furthermore, in these configurations, ventilation may be performed continuously, and the bathroom ventilation airflow may be started or stopped and the ventilation airflow rate may be changed by adjusting the opening and closing and opening degree of the movable damper.

[0134] In the embodiment, the control unit C1 determines whether the primary variable (maximum absolute humidity Hmax-current absolute humidity H) is equal to or greater than a predetermined primary threshold G1 in the primary determination process (step S103), but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the control unit C1 may define the primary variable as the current absolute humidity H, and determine whether the primary variable (current absolute humidity H) is equal to or less than the dryness determination value, which is the primary threshold.

[0135] In the embodiment, the present invention also includes a configuration in which steps S111 to S114 are eliminated and the process immediately proceeds to step S117 if the answer is "Yes" in step S103, that is, a configuration in which the secondary determination process is not executed.

[0136] In the embodiment, the present invention also includes a configuration in which step S127 is eliminated and if the answer is "Yes" in step S126, the process immediately proceeds to the termination process (steps S105 to S107). [Industrial Applicability]

[0137] The present invention can be used, for example, in bathrooms installed in homes, facilities, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 1. Bathroom heater / dryer BR…Bathroom 2...Heating unit 5...Humidity detection means H: Current absolute humidity C1: Control section 3...Ventilation unit Tbr: Bathroom temperature Tw1: Predetermined standby start temperature Tw2: Predetermined standby end temperature S117, S118, S131 to S133...High temperature standby control Hmin: Minimum absolute humidity G1: Predetermined main threshold S103: Main decision process G3: Predetermined specific threshold M1: Predetermined number of times S121~S126...Specific judgment processing S105~S107...Termination process Hmax: Maximum absolute humidity 5A...Thermistor 5B...Relative humidity sensor Hr...Current relative humidity detected by the relative humidity sensor (current relative humidity) G4: Predetermined relative humidity threshold

Claims

1. a heating unit that heats the bathroom by circulating air in the bathroom; a ventilation unit that exhausts air from the bathroom to the outside to ventilate the bathroom; humidity detection means for detecting the absolute humidity in the bathroom; a control unit that constantly acquires a current absolute humidity from the humidity detection means, and controls heating from the heating unit and ventilation from the ventilation unit to perform a drying operation to dry clothes in the bathroom; A method for controlling the drying operation of a bathroom heater / dryer, comprising: the ventilation unit is provided as part of the bathroom heater / dryer or outside the bathroom heater / dryer, The control unit During the drying operation, if the temperature in the bathroom rises to a predetermined standby start temperature, the system enters a high-temperature standby state in which the heating unit is stopped, and if the temperature drops to a predetermined standby end temperature, the system executes high-temperature standby control in which the system resumes operation of the heating unit and exits the high-temperature standby state. A minimum absolute humidity that is the lowest absolute humidity during a period from when the high temperature standby state is released until when the high temperature standby state is re-entered is acquired, Furthermore, the control unit, during the drying operation, a main determination process for determining whether a main variable has reached a predetermined main threshold value, the main variable being determined based on at least the current absolute humidity and reflecting the degree of drying of the clothes; defining a specific variable such that the minimum absolute humidity is updated as the specific variable when the absolute value of the difference between the minimum absolute humidity and the specific variable is greater than a predetermined specific threshold value, and executing a specific determination process to determine whether the specific variable has not been updated a predetermined number of times in succession; When it is determined in the main determination process that the main variable has reached the main threshold value, or when it is determined in the specific determination process that the specific variable has not been updated the predetermined number of times consecutively, the process proceeds to a termination process for terminating the drying operation, The control unit A maximum absolute humidity, which is a maximum value of the absolute humidity since the start of the drying operation, is constantly acquired; In the main judgment process, the main variable is defined as the difference between the maximum absolute humidity and the current absolute humidity, and it is determined whether the main variable is equal to or greater than the main threshold.

2. the humidity detection means detects the absolute humidity using a thermistor whose resistance value changes depending on the temperature in the bathroom and a relative humidity sensor that detects the relative humidity in the bathroom; 2. The method for controlling the drying operation of a bathroom heater / dryer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to transition to the termination process when the specific variable has not been updated the predetermined number of times in the specific determination process and the current relative humidity detected by the relative humidity sensor falls below a predetermined relative humidity threshold.

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