Clothes dryer

Abstract

This invention provides a clothes dryer that allows users to obtain multiple drying levels for their laundry using a single operating cycle. [Solution] The drum-type washer-dryer 1 includes a control unit 201 that performs a drying process in which laundry in the drum is dried by a drying operation that includes the supply of hot air from a drying device, and a sound output unit 205. The control unit 201 sets two or more drying levels selected by a selection operation from three or more different drying levels as the specified drying levels. After starting the drying operation in the drying process, if it determines that the drying level of the laundry in the drum has reached a specified drying level lower than the highest specified drying level among the two or more set specified drying levels, it stops the drying operation and causes the sound output unit 205 to give a notification prompting the removal of the laundry. After the removal notification, the drying operation is started again, and if it determines that the drying level of the laundry in the drum has reached the highest specified drying level, it stops the drying operation and ends the drying process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clothes dryer. The clothes dryer of the present invention includes a washing and drying machine having a washing function for washing clothes in addition to a drying function for drying clothes.

Background Art

[0002] As an operation course, a washing and drying machine having a special course is described in Patent Document 1, in which when the drying rate (degree of dryness) of the laundry reaches a drying rate suitable for ironing, the progress of the drying process is temporarily stopped, and notification is made by a notification means, and then the temporary stop is released to perform a drying operation for a predetermined time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the above washing and drying machine, the user can obtain two types of dried laundry, one suitable for ironing and the other sufficiently dried, with one operation course.

[0005] However, in the above washing and drying machine, the obtained dried finish is fixed to a state suitable for ironing and a sufficiently dried state, and the user cannot obtain a plurality of dried finishes of the laundry selected by the user himself / herself, so it is difficult to say that the convenience is good.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a clothes dryer capable of obtaining a plurality of dried finishes of the laundry selected by the user himself / herself with one operation course.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A clothes dryer according to a main aspect of the present invention comprises: a storage section for storing laundry; a hot air supply device for supplying hot air into the storage section; a dryness detection unit for detecting the degree of dryness of the laundry in the storage section; a control unit for executing a drying process that dries the laundry in the storage section by a drying operation including the supply of hot air from the hot air supply device; and a notification unit. Here, the control unit sets two or more dryness levels selected by a selection operation from three or more different dryness levels to a predetermined dryness level, and after starting the drying operation in the drying process, if it determines that the dryness level of the laundry in the storage section has reached a predetermined dryness level lower than the highest predetermined dryness level among the two or more set predetermined dryness levels, it stops the drying operation and causes the notification unit to issue a removal notification prompting the removal of the laundry, and after the removal notification, the drying operation is started again, and if it determines that the dryness level of the laundry in the storage section has reached the highest predetermined dryness level, it stops the drying operation and terminates the drying process.

[0008] According to the clothes dryer of this embodiment, the user can obtain laundry with multiple desired drying levels by selecting from several desired drying levels. This improves user convenience.

[0009] In the clothes dryer according to this embodiment, a configuration may be adopted that further includes a display unit. In this case, the control unit may be configured to sequentially display on the display unit the predicted operating time from the start of the drying operation until the predetermined degree of dryness is reached, each time the drying operation is started.

[0010] With the above configuration, the user can know the approximate time it will take for the laundry to reach each specified level of dryness and be ready to be removed at the start of each drying cycle.

[0011] In the above configuration, a load detection unit for detecting the load amount of laundry in the storage compartment may be further provided. In this case, the control unit may be configured to detect the load amount using the load detection unit before the removal notification and before the start of the drying operation after the removal notification, and if there is a difference between the two detected load amounts, the predicted operating time from the start of the drying operation after the removal notification to reaching the specified degree of dryness may be corrected from the value when there is no difference based on the difference.

[0012] With this configuration, the predicted operating time is corrected according to the amount of laundry removed from the drum after receiving the removal notification, thereby improving the accuracy of the predicted operating time during the drying operation after the removal notification. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, a clothes dryer can be provided that allows users to obtain multiple drying finishes for their laundry using a single operating course.

[0014] The effects and significance of the present invention will become even clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiments are merely examples of how to implement the present invention, and the present invention is not limited in any way to those described in the following embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum-type washing machine and dryer according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a drum-type washing machine and dryer according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) is a flowchart showing the control process performed by the control unit to receive a drying degree selection operation according to the embodiment, and Figure 3(b) is a diagram showing an example of the drying degree selection screen displayed by the operation display unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control processing executed by a control unit in a drying process of a preferred drying finish course according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIGS. 5(a) and (b) are diagrams each showing an example of a predicted operation time display screen and an operation start waiting screen displayed on an operation display unit according to an embodiment. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, a drum-type washing and drying machine, which is an embodiment of the clothes dryer of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a drum-type washing and drying machine 1.

[0018] The drum-type washing and drying machine 1 includes a rectangular box-shaped housing 10. A circular inlet 11 for loading laundry is formed in the front surface of the housing 10. The inlet 11 is covered by a door 12 that can be opened and closed.

[0019] An outer tub 20 is disposed inside the housing 10. The outer tub 20 is elastically supported by a plurality of dampers 21 and springs 22. A drum 23 is rotatably disposed inside the outer tub 20. The drum 23 rotates around a horizontal axis. The drum 23 has a circular opening 23a in the front surface. Laundry is put into and taken out of the drum 23 through the inlet 11 and the opening 23a. When the laundry is put into and taken out of the drum 23, the door 12 is opened and closed. The drum 23 corresponds to the "accommodation part" of the present invention.

[0020] The outer tub 20 has a circular opening 20a in front of the opening 23a of the drum 23. A packing for water sealing at the front end of the outer tub 20 is connected to the inlet 11.

[0021] A large number of dewatering holes 23b are formed in the circumferential wall of the drum 23. Further, inside the drum 23, a baffle 24 for scooping up laundry is provided on the circumferential wall. Note that if the drum 23 is a horizontal-axis type, it may rotate around a rotation axis inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0022] A drive motor 30 for generating torque to rotate the drum 23 is disposed behind the outer tub 20. The drive motor 30 is, for example, an outer-rotor type DC brushless motor. During the washing process, rinsing process, and drying process, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotational speed at which the centrifugal force applied to the laundry in the drum 23 is smaller than the gravity, and the laundry tumbles. On the other hand, during the dewatering process, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotational speed at which the centrifugal force applied to the laundry in the drum 23 is much larger than the gravity, and the laundry adheres to the circumferential wall of the drum 23.

[0023] A drain port 20b is formed at the bottom of the outer tub 20. A drain passage 40 constituted by a drain hose or the like is connected to the drain port 20b. A drain valve 41 and a drain filter 42 are provided in the drain passage 40. The drain valve 41 includes, for example, a valve and a torque motor for opening and closing the valve.

[0024] When the drain valve 41 is opened, the water accumulated in the outer tub 20 is discharged outside the machine through the drain port 20b and the drain passage 40. Foreign matters such as lint contained in the drain water are captured by the drain filter 42.

[0025] A water supply unit 50 is disposed at the upper part inside the housing 10. The water supply unit 50 includes a water supply valve 51 and a water supply passage 52. One end of the water supply passage 52 is connected to the water supply valve 51, and the other end is connected to a water injection port 20c provided on the back surface of the outer tub 20. When the water supply valve 51 is opened, tap water from a water tap flows through the water supply passage 52 and is supplied into the outer tub 20 from the water injection port 20c.

[0026] The water supply unit 50 may also include an automatic dispensing device that automatically dispenses liquid detergent and liquid fabric softener into the outer tank 20. The automatic dispensing device may include, for example, a liquid tank in which liquid detergent and liquid fabric softener are stored, and a pump that sends the liquid detergent and liquid fabric softener from the liquid tank into the water supply channel 52. In this case, the liquid detergent and liquid fabric softener discharged into the water supply channel 52 are sent into the outer tank 20 by the water flowing through the water supply channel 52.

[0027] A drying device 100 is located at the top of the housing 10, which dries the laundry inside the drum 23 by supplying heated air, i.e., hot air, into the drum 23. The drying device 100 corresponds to the "hot air supply device" of the present invention.

[0028] The drying apparatus 100 includes a circulation path 110, a blower 120, a first heat exchanger 131, and a second heat exchanger 132.

[0029] The circulation path 110 is an air passage through which air flows and is connected to the outer tank 20. The circulation path 110 includes an outlet duct 111, a fan casing 112, a heat exchanger housing 113, and an inlet duct 114. The circulation path 110 is located above the outer tank 20 within the housing 10.

[0030] One end of the outlet duct 111 is connected to the exhaust port 20d located on the rear of the outer tank 20, and the other end is connected to the intake port of the fan casing 112.

[0031] The heat exchanger housing 113 has a box-like shape that is elongated in the front-to-back direction and is positioned above the outer tank 20 and in front of the fan casing 112. The rear end of the heat exchanger housing 113 is connected to the discharge port of the fan casing 112. The inlet duct 114 extends from the front end of the heat exchanger housing 113 and is connected to the inlet 20e formed in the front upper part of the outer tank 20.

[0032] The blower 120 is, for example, a centrifugal fan and includes a fan 121 housed in a fan casing 112 and a fan motor 122 for rotating the fan 121. The blower 120 circulates air between the outer tank 20 and the circulation path 110. Air discharged from the outer tank 20 through the exhaust port 20d flows through the circulation path 110 in the following order: outlet duct 111, fan casing 112, heat exchanger housing 113, and inlet duct 114, and returns to the outer tank 20 through the inlet port 20e.

[0033] The first heat exchanger 131 and the second heat exchanger 132 are located on the upstream and downstream sides of the heat exchanger housing 113, respectively. The first heat exchanger 131 and the second heat exchanger 132 are an evaporator (cooler) and a condenser (heater), respectively, and are included in the heat pump device 130.

[0034] The heat pump device 130 includes a first heat exchanger 131 and a second heat exchanger 132, as well as a compressor 133, a refrigerant circulation path 134, and a pressure reducer 135. The compressor 133 compresses the refrigerant. The refrigerant circulation path 134 connects the first heat exchanger 131 and the second heat exchanger 132 to the compressor 133 and circulates the refrigerant. The pressure reducer 135 is, for example, an expansion valve, located between the first heat exchanger 131 and the second heat exchanger 132 in the refrigerant circulation path 134, and reduces the pressure of the refrigerant.

[0035] When compressor 133 operates, the refrigerant, compressed to high temperature and pressure, flows to the second heat exchanger 132. The air flowing through the circulation path 110 is heated by heat exchange with the high-temperature refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchanger 132. The refrigerant cooled by the air is depressurized through the pressure reducer 135, becoming low temperature and low pressure, and flows to the first heat exchanger 131. The air flowing through the circulation path 110 is cooled and dehumidified by heat exchange with the low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchanger 131. The refrigerant heated by the air returns to compressor 133.

[0036] The drying apparatus 100 is equipped with an outlet temperature sensor 141 and an inlet temperature sensor 142. The outlet temperature sensor 141 is located upstream of the blower 120 in the circulation path 110, i.e., in the outlet duct 111, and detects the temperature of the air (wind) discharged from the outer tank 20 as the outlet temperature. The inlet temperature sensor 142 is located downstream of the second heat exchanger 132 in the circulation path 110, i.e., in the introduction duct 114, and detects the temperature of the air (wind) introduced into the outer tank 20 after passing through the second heat exchanger 132 as the inlet temperature.

[0037] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the drum-type washer-dryer 1.

[0038] In addition to the above-described configuration, the drum-type washing and drying machine 1 includes a control unit 201, a memory unit 202, a power button 203, an operation display unit 204, a sound output unit 205, a water level sensor 206, a door opening / closing detection unit 207, a door lock device 208, a motor drive unit 209, a water supply drive unit 210, a drainage drive unit 211, a fan drive unit 212, and a compressor drive unit 213.

[0039] The power button 203 is operated to supply and cut off power to the drum-type washer-dryer 1. When the power button 203 is pressed while the drum-type washer-dryer 1 is not receiving power, power is supplied. When the power button 203 is pressed while the drum-type washer-dryer 1 is receiving power, power is cut off.

[0040] The operation display unit 204 is configured, for example, as a touch panel. The operation display unit 204 displays various operation buttons, such as a course selection button for selecting a course from a plurality of courses related to washing and drying operations, a start button for starting the operation, and a pause button for pausing the operation. It receives operations on these operation buttons and outputs operation signals to the control unit 201. In addition, the operation display unit 204 displays the selected course, displays the progress of the operation, and notifies of abnormalities, etc., according to the control signals from the control unit 201. The operation display unit 204 corresponds to the "display unit" of the present invention.

[0041] In addition to the operation display unit 204, other display elements such as operation buttons and LEDs may be provided. Alternatively, the operation unit and display unit may be provided separately instead of the operation display unit 204.

[0042] The sound output unit 205 outputs alarm sounds and voice messages from the speaker according to control signals from the control unit 201. The sound output unit 205 corresponds to the "notification unit" of the present invention.

[0043] The water level sensor 206 detects the water level stored in the outer tank 20 and outputs a water level signal corresponding to the detected water level to the control unit 201.

[0044] The door opening / closing detection unit 207 detects the opening and closing of the door 12 and outputs detection signals (open signal, closed signal) corresponding to the opening and closing to the control unit 201. The door lock device 208 locks the door 12 in the closed position.

[0045] The outlet temperature sensor 141 and the inlet temperature sensor 142 are composed of thermistors or the like, and output a temperature signal corresponding to the detected temperature to the control unit 201.

[0046] The motor drive unit 209 drives the drive motor 30 according to a control signal from the control unit 201. The motor drive unit 209 includes a rotation sensor for detecting the rotational speed of the drive motor 30, an inverter circuit, etc., and adjusts the drive power so that the drive motor 30 rotates at the rotational speed set by the control unit 201. Furthermore, the motor drive unit 209 is provided with a current detection circuit for detecting the current flowing through the drive motor 30.

[0047] The water supply drive unit 210 drives the water supply valve 51 according to the control signal from the control unit 201. The drainage drive unit 211 drives the drainage valve 41 according to the control signal from the control unit 201.

[0048] The fan drive unit 212 drives the fan motor 122 of the blower 120 according to the control signal from the control unit 201. The compressor drive unit 213 drives the compressor 133 according to the control signal from the control unit 201, and operates the first heat exchanger 131 and the second heat exchanger 132.

[0049] The memory unit 202 includes EEPROM, RAM, etc. The memory unit 202 stores programs for executing various course operations. The memory unit 202 also stores various parameters and control flags used for executing these programs.

[0050] The control unit 201, which includes a CPU and the like, controls the sound output unit 205, door lock device 208, motor drive unit 209, water supply drive unit 210, drainage drive unit 211, fan drive unit 212, compressor drive unit 213, etc., according to a program stored in the memory unit 202, based on signals from the operation display unit 204, water level sensor 206, door open / close detection unit 207, outlet temperature sensor 141, inlet temperature sensor 142, etc.

[0051] In the drum-type washer-dryer 1, based on the user's operation of the operation display unit 204, the control unit 201 controls the washing and drying operation, washing operation, and drying operation for various courses. In the washing and drying operation, the washing process, intermediate spin-drying process, rinsing process, final spin-drying process, and drying process are performed in order. In the washing operation, the washing process is performed up to the final spin-drying process, but the drying process is not performed. In the drying operation, only the drying process is performed. Depending on the operation course, the rinsing process and intermediate spin-drying process may be performed two or more times.

[0052] In the washing process, water containing detergent, i.e., detergent water, is filled into the outer tub 20 up to the set washing water level. The laundry, immersed in the detergent water, tumbles inside the drum 23 as the drum 23 rotates repeatedly in the forward and reverse directions. The detergent water penetrates deep into the laundry, and the dirt is removed by the combined force of the detergent and the mechanical force from tumbling.

[0053] In the rinsing process, the drum 23 rotates forward and backward with water accumulated in the outer tub 20 up to the set rinsing water level, causing the laundry to tumble inside the drum 23. The mechanical force from tumbling causes the detergent contained in the laundry to be discharged along with the water, thus rinsing the laundry.

[0054] In the intermediate and final dewatering processes, the drive motor 30 rotates at high speed in one direction, causing the drum 23 to rotate in one direction at a speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the laundry inside the drum 23 is much greater than that of gravity. Due to the action of centrifugal force, the laundry is pressed against the circumferential walls of the drum 23 and dewatered.

[0055] In the drying process, the drying device 100, namely the blower 120 and the compressor 133, operates, and the drum 23 also operates, thereby performing a drying operation to dry the laundry inside the drum 23.

[0056] The operation of the blower 120 circulates air between the outer tub 20 and the circulation path 110, and the air introduced into the outer tub 20 is heated by the second heat exchanger 132, becoming warm air. Furthermore, the drum 23 rotates in both forward and reverse directions, causing the laundry to tumble inside the drum 23. The warm air introduced into the outer tub 20 and drum 23 from the inlet 20e hits the tumbling laundry, drying it. The warm air, having removed moisture from the laundry, returns to the circulation path 110 from the exhaust port 20d. Inside the circulation path 110, the warm air passes through the first heat exchanger 131 before being heated by the second heat exchanger 132, where it is dehumidified.

[0057] During drying, the control unit 201 functions as a drying degree detection unit together with the outlet temperature sensor 141 and the inlet temperature sensor 142, and detects the degree of drying (drying rate) of the laundry inside the drum 23 based on the outlet temperature detected by the outlet temperature sensor 141 and the inlet temperature detected by the inlet temperature sensor 142.

[0058] The outlet temperature detected by the outlet temperature sensor 141, i.e., the temperature of the hot air discharged from the outer tub 20, remains almost constant as long as the clothes in the drum 23 contain sufficient moisture and sufficient heat exchange is taking place between the moisture and the hot air. Subsequently, the outlet temperature begins to rise as the clothes dry and the amount of moisture decreases, making heat exchange between the moisture and the hot air less efficient. On the other hand, the inlet temperature detected by the inlet temperature sensor 142, i.e., the temperature of the hot air introduced into the outer tub 20, is higher than the outlet temperature and remains almost constant. Therefore, after the clothes have dried to a certain extent, the temperature difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature decreases as the degree of dryness of the clothes increases. The control unit 201 detects the degree of dryness based on the temperature difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature.

[0059] Furthermore, the control unit 201 can detect a degree of dryness that exceeds a limit detectable by the temperature difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature, based on the elapsed time since reaching the limit of dryness.

[0060] When the drying level of the laundry in the drum 23 reaches the target drying level for the current cycle, the control unit 201 stops the drying device 100 (compressor 133, blower 120) and the drum 23. This stops the drying operation and ends the drying process.

[0061] Prior to the washing process, a load detection step is performed. The control unit 201 functions as a load detection unit together with the drum 23 and the drive motor 30, and in the load detection step, it detects the load of laundry contained in the drum 23. That is, the control unit 201 operates the drive motor 30 to rotate the drum 23 at a rotation speed (for example, 180 rpm) such that the laundry adheres to the circumferential wall of the drum 23. Then, while the drum 23 is rotating, the control unit 201 detects the load of laundry based on the load applied to the drum 23. For example, the current flowing to the drive motor 30 is detected by the current detection circuit, and the load is determined based on the magnitude of the current. The greater the load, the greater the load applied to the drum 23, and the greater the current flowing to the drive motor 30.

[0062] Furthermore, the control unit 201 locks the door 12 with the door lock device 208 when starting an operation such as a washing and drying cycle, and unlocks the door 12 with the door lock device 208 when the operation is finished.

[0063] In this embodiment, the drum-type washer-dryer 1 includes a "Custom Drying Finish" course as an operating course for the washer-drying and drying operations. In the Custom Drying Finish course, the user can pre-select from several drying levels and obtain laundry with a drying finish corresponding to the selected level. In this embodiment, the user can select two drying levels from four candidate drying levels.

[0064] Figure 3(a) is a flowchart showing the control process performed by the control unit 201 to accept a drying degree selection operation, and Figure 3(b) is a diagram showing an example of the drying degree selection screen D1 displayed by the operation display unit 204.

[0065] In the custom drying finish course, the control unit 201 executes the control process shown in Figure 3(a) at the beginning of the operation.

[0066] Referring to Figure 3(a), the control unit 201 displays a drying degree selection screen D1 on the operation display unit 204 to accept the selection of the drying degree (S101).

[0067] As shown in Figure 3(b), the drying degree selection screen D1 is equipped with four selectable drying degree buttons, corresponding to each of the four selectable drying degree options, in order from lowest to highest: weakest button B1, weak button B2, strong button B3, and strongest button B4. The drying degree corresponding to the weakest button B1 is, for example, a drying rate of about 80-90%, and is selected when the laundry includes items that are difficult to dry and should be taken out early and air-dried indoors. The drying degree corresponding to the weak button B2 is, for example, a drying rate of about 90-97%, and is selected when the laundry includes items that require ironing, such as dress shirts. The drying degree corresponding to the strong button B3 is, for example, a drying rate of about 97-103%, and is selected when the laundry includes items that become stiff if they are dried too much, such as towels. The drying degree corresponding to the strongest button B4 is, for example, a drying rate of about 103-105%, and is selected when the laundry includes items that need to be thoroughly dried. Furthermore, the drying degree selection screen D1 is equipped with a confirmation button B5 to confirm the selection.

[0068] The user selects two drying levels from four options using four selection buttons: the weakest button B1, the weakest button B2, the strong button B3, and the strongest button B4, depending on the type of laundry to be dried. When a selection button is pressed, its display changes, such as by changing color. The user then presses the confirmation button B5. This confirms the selection, and the control unit 201 accepts the selection.

[0069] When the control unit 201 receives a selection operation on the drying degree selection screen D1 (S102: YES), it sets the selected drying degree to the specified drying degree to be used in the drying process (S103). That is, the control unit 201 sets the lower of the two selected drying degrees as the first specified drying degree and the higher drying degree as the second specified drying degree. The drying degrees set as the first specified drying degree and the second specified drying degree are stored in the storage unit 202. The second specified drying degree corresponds to the "highest specified drying degree" of the present invention, and the first specified drying degree corresponds to the "specified drying degree lower than the highest specified drying degree" of the present invention.

[0070] Alternatively, the control unit 201 may be configured to execute the control process shown in Figure 3(a) when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation display unit 204 while the machine is not in operation, rather than when the custom drying finish course starts.

[0071] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the control unit 201 during the drying process of the custom drying finish course. Figures 5(a) and (b) show examples of the predicted operating time display screen D2 and the operation start waiting screen D3 displayed by the operation display unit 204, respectively.

[0072] During the drying process of the "Custom Drying Finish" course, the control unit 201 executes the control process shown in Figure 4.

[0073] Referring to Figure 4, the control unit 201 detects the load amount of laundry in the drum 23 (S201). The method for detecting the load amount is the same as in the load amount detection step. Next, the control unit 201 calculates the first predicted operating time (S202). The first predicted operating time is the predicted operating time that is expected to take from the start of the initial drying operation until the degree of dryness of the laundry in the drum 23 reaches a first specified degree of dryness.

[0074] For the four selectable drying levels, data showing the relationship between the load of laundry in the drum 23 and the predicted operating time from the start of the drying operation until the drying level is reached is obtained in advance through tests, etc. Based on this data, a calculation formula for determining the predicted operating time from the load is created and stored in the storage unit 202. The control unit 201 calculates the first predicted operating time from the detected load using the calculation formula corresponding to the drying level set as the first specified drying level.

[0075] Next, the control unit 201 causes the operation display unit 204 to display the first predicted operating time (S203). For example, the operation display unit 204 displays the first predicted operating time using the predicted operating time display screen D2 shown in Figure 5(a). At this time, the control unit 201 may also cause the sound output unit 205 to provide an audible notification of the first predicted operating time.

[0076] Next, the control unit 201 operates the drying apparatus 100 and the drum 23 to start the drying operation (S204). Furthermore, the control unit 201 starts counting down the first predicted operating time displayed on the operation display unit 204 (S205). For example, the first predicted operating time displayed on the predicted operating time display screen D2 is decreased every minute.

[0077] Next, the control unit 201 periodically detects the degree of dryness of the laundry in the drum 23 to monitor whether or not the dryness has reached a first predetermined dryness level (S206). When the control unit 201 determines that the dryness of the laundry in the drum 23 has reached a first predetermined dryness level (S206: YES), it stops the operation of the drying device 100 and the drum 23, and stops the drying operation (S207). At this time, the display of the first predicted operating time on the operation display unit 204 becomes zero.

[0078] The control unit 201 measures the actual time taken to reach the first specified degree of dryness and stores this time as elapsed time in the storage unit 202.

[0079] Next, the control unit 201 detects the load of laundry in the drum 23 as the load before notification (S208). Then, the control unit 201 unlocks the door 12 using the door lock device 208 (S209) and instructs the sound output unit 205 to make a notification prompting the user to remove the laundry (S210). For example, the sound output unit 205 outputs a voice message such as "Please remove the laundry." Alternatively, the sound output unit 205 outputs an alarm sound such as "beep, beep, beep."

[0080] Next, the control unit 201 displays the operation start waiting screen D3 on the operation display unit 204 and waits for a restart operation (S211). As shown in Figure 5(b), the operation start waiting screen D3 is provided with a start button B6 for the restart operation.

[0081] The user opens the door 12, removes the laundry to be taken out from the drum 23 at this stage, closes the door 12, and then restarts the machine using the start button B6. Alternatively, closing the opened door 12 may also be considered the restart operation. In this case, the door opening / closing detection unit 207 will detect the restart operation.

[0082] When the control unit 201 receives a restart operation (S211: YES), it locks the door 12 with the door lock device 208 (S212). The control unit 201 then detects the load of laundry in the drum 23 as the post-notification load (S213).

[0083] Next, the control unit 201 calculates the second predicted operating time (S214). The second predicted operating time is the predicted operating time that is expected to take from the start of the drying operation after the removal notification until the degree of dryness of the laundry in the drum 23 reaches the second specified degree of dryness.

[0084] The second predicted operating time is calculated as follows. First, the predicted operating time, which is expected to take from the start of the initial drying operation until the second specified degree of dryness is reached, is calculated from the load detected in S201 using a calculation formula corresponding to the dryness level set for the second specified degree of dryness. Next, the second predicted operating time is calculated by subtracting the elapsed time until the first specified degree of dryness is reached from the calculated predicted operating time. The value of the second predicted operating time at this time is the value when the laundry in the drum 23 is not removed when the first specified degree of dryness is reached. Normally, the laundry in the drum 23 is removed when the first specified degree of dryness is reached, so there is a difference between the load detected in S208 before notification and the load detected in S213 after notification. Therefore, the difference between the load detected before notification and the load detected after notification, for example, load after notification / load detected before notification, is calculated, and if there is a difference, the value of the second predicted operating time calculated earlier is corrected based on the difference, so that the larger the difference, the smaller the value, and a new second predicted operating time is obtained. For example, the difference, i.e., the load after notification / load before notification, is used as the correction amount, and this correction amount is multiplied by the previously calculated value of the second predicted operating time. For example, if half of the load of laundry is removed when the first specified degree of dryness is reached, a correction amount of 0.5 is multiplied, and the value of the second predicted operating time is corrected to half the value when no laundry is removed.

[0085] In this way, a second predicted operating time is calculated, which is corrected according to the amount of laundry removed when the first specified degree of dryness is reached.

[0086] Next, the control unit 201 causes the operation display unit 204 to display the second predicted operating time (S215). For example, the operation display unit 204 displays the second predicted operating time using the predicted operating time display screen D2 shown in Figure 5(a). At this time, the control unit 201 may also cause the sound output unit 205 to provide an audible notification of the second predicted operating time.

[0087] Next, the control unit 201 resumes the drying operation (S216). Furthermore, the control unit 201 starts counting down the second predicted operating time displayed on the operation display unit 204 (S217).

[0088] Next, the control unit 201 periodically detects the degree of dryness of the laundry in the drum 23 to monitor whether the dryness has reached the second predetermined dryness level (S218). When the control unit 201 determines that the dryness of the laundry in the drum 23 has reached the second predetermined dryness level (S218: YES), it stops the drying operation (S219). At this time, the display of the second predicted operating time on the operation display unit 204 becomes zero.

[0089] Thus, the drying process is completed. Once the drying process is complete, the wash-and-dry operation or drying operation ends. The door 12 is unlocked by the door lock device 208, and the sound output unit 205 provides an alarm sound or voice notification that the operation has ended. The user removes all the dried laundry from the drum 23.

[0090] <Effects of the Embodiment> According to this embodiment, in the drum-type washing and drying machine 1, the control unit 201 sets two dryness levels selected by a selection operation from among four different dryness levels as the first and second specified dryness levels. Then, after the drying operation starts in the drying process, when the control unit 201 determines that the dryness level of the laundry in the drum 23 has reached the first specified dryness level, it stops the drying operation and has the sound output unit 205 issue a removal notification prompting the removal of the laundry. After the removal notification, the drying operation starts again, and when the control unit 201 determines that the dryness level of the laundry in the drum 23 has reached the second specified dryness level, it stops the drying operation and ends the drying process.

[0091] With this configuration, the user can obtain laundry with two desired drying levels by selecting two different levels of dryness. This improves user convenience.

[0092] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, each time a drying operation is started, the control unit 201 sequentially displays on the operation display unit 204 the predicted operating time from the start of the drying operation until the specified degree of drying (first specified degree of drying, second specified degree of drying).

[0093] With this configuration, the user can understand the approximate time it will take for the laundry to reach each specified degree of dryness (first specified degree of dryness, second specified degree of dryness) and be ready to be removed at the start of each drying cycle.

[0094] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the control unit 201 detects the load amount before the removal notification (S208) and before the start of the drying operation after the removal notification (S213). If there is a difference between the two detected load amounts (load amount before notification and load amount after notification), the control unit 201 corrects the second predicted operating time, which is from the start of the drying operation after the removal notification until the second specified degree of drying is reached, from the value when there is no difference to the value of the difference.

[0095] With this configuration, the value of the second predicted operating time is corrected according to the amount of laundry removed from the drum 23 after receiving the removal notification, thereby improving the accuracy of the second predicted operating time.

[0096] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way by the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible to the embodiments of the present invention other than those described above.

[0097] For example, in the above embodiment, two degrees of dryness can be selected from four candidate degrees of dryness through a selection operation. However, the number of candidate degrees of dryness is not limited to four; there may be three or more, as long as they are three or more degrees higher. Furthermore, the number of selectable degrees of dryness only needs to be two or more; for example, it may be possible to select all candidate degrees of dryness to the maximum extent possible.

[0098] Furthermore, in the control process of the drying process shown in Figure 4, the load amount of the laundry may not be detected in S208, and the load amount detected in S201 before the removal notification may be considered the load amount before notification.

[0099] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control unit 201 detects the degree of dryness of the laundry in the drum 23 based on the outlet temperature detected by the outlet temperature sensor 141 and the inlet temperature detected by the inlet temperature sensor 142. However, the method for detecting the degree of dryness is not limited to the above method. For example, a humidity sensor may be placed inside the outer tub 20 or near the inlet of the circulation path 110, and the degree of dryness of the laundry in the drum 23 may be detected based on the humidity detected by the humidity sensor. Furthermore, the degree of dryness may be detected based on the outlet temperature, the inlet temperature, and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor.

[0100] Furthermore, the above embodiment illustrates a drum-type washing and drying machine 1 equipped with a horizontal-axis drum 23. However, the present invention can also be applied to a so-called vertical-type washing and drying machine, which has a vertical-axis washing and dewatering tub with a pulsator as a storage compartment inside the outer tub. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a clothes dryer that has only a drying function and no washing function.

[0101] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea set forth in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 1. Drum-type washing machine / dryer (clothes dryer) 23 Drum (storage section, load detection section) 30 Drive motor (load detection unit) 100 Drying equipment (hot air supply device) 141 Outlet temperature sensor (dryness detection unit) 142 Inlet temperature sensor (dryness detection unit) 201 Control Unit (Load Amount Detection Unit, Dryness Degree Detection Unit) 204 Operation display section (display section) 205 Sound output unit (notification unit)

Claims

1. A storage compartment where laundry is stored, A hot air supply device that supplies hot air into the aforementioned housing section, A dryness detection unit for detecting the degree of dryness of the laundry in the storage compartment, A control unit that performs a drying process to dry the laundry in the storage compartment by a drying operation that includes supplying hot air from the hot air supply device, Equipped with a news department, The control unit, Two or more drying degrees selected from three or more different drying degrees are set as the specified drying degree. In the drying process, after the drying operation has started, if it is determined that the degree of dryness of the laundry in the storage compartment has reached a predetermined dryness level lower than the highest predetermined dryness level among two or more predetermined dryness levels, the drying operation is stopped and the notification unit issues a notification prompting the removal of the laundry. After the removal notification is given and the drying operation is started, if it is determined that the degree of dryness of the laundry in the storage compartment has reached the maximum specified degree of dryness, the drying operation is stopped and the drying process is terminated. A clothes dryer characterized by the following features.

2. In the clothes dryer according to claim 1, It also includes a display unit, Each time the drying operation is initiated, the control unit sequentially displays on the display unit the predicted operating time from the start of the drying operation until the specified degree of drying is reached. A clothes dryer characterized by the following features.

3. In the clothes dryer according to claim 2, The storage compartment is further provided with a load detection unit that detects the load amount of laundry inside the storage compartment, The control unit, The load amount is detected by the load amount detection unit before the removal notification and before the start of the drying operation after the removal notification. If there is a difference between the two detected load amounts, the predicted operating time from the start of the drying operation after the removal notification until the specified degree of drying is reached is corrected from the value when there is no difference based on the value of the difference. A clothes dryer characterized by the following features.

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