clothes dryer

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of efficiently performing deodorization and sterilization of clothing in a clothing dryer.SOLUTION: A clothing dryer can execute a drying operation which dries clothing in a storage tub by the air supplied into the storage tub from a circulation air passage. In a drying operation, a control part executes a first mode operation and a second mode operation after that. In the first mode operation, it executes the drying operation in a state where an exhaust damper is opened and in a state where a blower fan is rotated at first rotational frequency, and in the second mode operation, it executes the drying operation in a state where the exhaust damper is closed and / or the blower fan is rotated at second rotational frequency below the first rotational frequency.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a clothing treatment device. The clothing treatment device in Patent Document 1 includes a storage tub for storing clothing and a steam supply mechanism for supplying steam to the storage tub. The steam is supplied to the storage tub, raising the temperature of the clothing stored in the storage tub to a first predetermined temperature or higher, and maintaining the temperature at or above the first predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time. This allows the clothing to be disinfected, wrinkle-reduced, and deodorized without washing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-4055 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The clothing treatment device of Patent Document 1 is configured to supply steam into the storage tub, but clothes dryers that supply air for drying clothes into the storage tub to dry the clothes are commonly known. It is conceivable that the clothes can be deodorized and sterilized during the drying operation of such clothes dryers. This specification provides a technology that can efficiently deodorize and sterilize clothes in a clothes dryer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The clothes dryer disclosed herein includes a storage tub that stores clothes, a circulation air duct that supplies air for drying clothes into the storage tub, and circulates air discharged from the storage tub and supplies it back into the storage tub, a heating unit that heats the air in the circulation air duct, a blower fan that directs the air in the circulation air duct from upstream to downstream, an exhaust damper that opens and closes a portion of the circulation air duct upstream of the heating unit, and a control unit. The clothes dryer is capable of performing a drying operation to dry the clothes in the storage tub using air supplied from the circulation air duct into the storage tub. The control unit is capable of performing a first mode operation and a subsequent second mode operation during the drying operation. In the first mode operation, the drying operation is performed with the exhaust damper open and the blower fan rotating at a first rotation speed, and in the second mode operation, the drying operation is performed with the exhaust damper closed and / or the blower fan rotating at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a clothes dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration inside the housing of the clothes dryer according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the clothes dryer according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a deodorizing mode and a sterilizing mode in the embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a deodorizing mode and a sterilizing mode of a first modified example. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a deodorizing mode and a sterilizing mode of a second modified example. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a deodorizing mode and a sterilizing mode of a third modified example. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a deodorizing mode and a sterilizing mode of a fourth modified example. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a deodorizing mode and a sterilizing mode of a fifth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A clothes dryer according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the clothes dryer 2 according to the embodiment includes a housing 10, a water tub 12 disposed within the housing 10, and a rotating tub 13 disposed within the water tub 12. The clothes dryer 2 also includes a water supply channel 20, a drain channel 15, and a circulating air channel 40 connected to the water tub 12.

[0008] The clothes dryer 2 is a so-called inclined drum type washer-dryer that includes a rotary tub 13 that is inclined relative to the horizontal. In a modified example, the rotary tub 13 does not have to be inclined. The clothes dryer 2 may also be a so-called upright type washer-dryer that includes, for example, a pulsator that rotates within the rotary tub 13. The type of the clothes dryer 2 is not particularly limited. The clothes dryer 2 of the embodiment is capable of performing a washing operation to wash the clothes in the rotary tub 13 and a drying operation to dry the clothes in the rotary tub 13.

[0009] Housing 10 of clothes dryer 2 is configured, for example, in a box shape, and has operation panel 120 provided on its top surface. Operation panel 120 is configured, for example, as a touch panel, and displays various information related to clothes dryer 2. Operation panel 120 also accepts various operations related to clothes dryer 2.

[0010] In addition, door 18 is rotatably attached to housing 10. Door 18 rotates relative to housing 10 to open and close opening 122 of water tub 12 and opening 132 of rotatable tub 13. Water tub 12, which is disposed within housing 10, is capable of storing water. In a washing operation, clothes dryer 2 washes clothes using the water stored in water tub 12. Rotatable tub 13, which is capable of storing clothes, is rotatably disposed within water tub 12. Rotatable tub 13 is driven to rotate by motor 14. As rotatable tub 13 rotates, the clothes in rotatable tub 13 are washed. In a drying operation, as rotatable tub 13 rotates, the clothes in rotatable tub 13 are dried.

[0011] The upstream end of the water supply passage 20 is connected to a supply source (e.g., a water supply), and the downstream end is connected to the water tank 12. The water supply passage 20 supplies water from the supply source into the water tank 12. A water supply valve 24 is provided on the water supply passage 20. When the water supply valve 24 opens, water is supplied into the water tank 12.

[0012] The upstream end of drainage channel 15 is connected to water tank 12, and the downstream end is connected to a drainage destination (e.g., a drain pan). Drainage channel 15 discharges water discharged from water tank 12 to the drainage destination. Drainage channel 15 is provided with a drainage valve 16. When drainage valve 16 opens, the water in water tank 12 is discharged to the drainage destination.

[0013] Circulation air duct 40 is a passage that circulates air for drying the clothes in rotatable tub 13. Circulation air duct 40 includes, in order from the upstream side, exhaust air duct 41, heat exchange air duct 42, and intake air duct 43. The upstream end of exhaust air duct 41 is connected to exhaust port 71 provided at the top of water tub 12. Air inside water tub 12 and rotatable tub 13 is discharged into exhaust air duct 41 through exhaust port 71. The downstream end of exhaust air duct 41 is connected to heat exchange air duct 42. The air that flows through exhaust air duct 41 is sent to heat exchange air duct 42.

[0014] An exhaust temperature sensor 34 is provided in the exhaust air duct 41 to detect the temperature of the air in the exhaust air duct 41. The exhaust temperature sensor 34 detects the temperature of the air discharged from the rotating tub 13 to the exhaust air duct 41. The exhaust temperature sensor 34 is disposed near the exhaust port 71, for example.

[0015] An exhaust damper 45 is provided in the middle of exhaust air duct 41 to discharge the air in exhaust air duct 41 to the outside. Exhaust damper 45 is provided downstream (on the heat exchange air duct 42 side) of exhaust temperature sensor 34. Exhaust temperature sensor 34 is provided between exhaust damper 45 and exhaust port 71. Exhaust damper 45 opens and closes a portion of exhaust air duct 41. When exhaust damper 45 is in the open state, air flowing through exhaust air duct 41 is discharged from exhaust damper 45 to the outside of clothes dryer 2. When exhaust damper 45 is in the closed state, air in exhaust air duct 41 is not discharged.

[0016] The heat exchange air passage 42 is provided between the exhaust air passage 41 and the supply air passage 43. The upstream end of the heat exchange air passage 42 is connected to the exhaust air passage 41, and the downstream end of the heat exchange air passage 42 is connected to the supply air passage 43. The air that flows through the heat exchange air passage 42 is sent to the supply air passage 43.

[0017] The downstream end of air supply duct 43 is connected to air supply port 72 provided at the rear of water tub 12. Air flowing through air supply duct 43 is supplied into water tub 12 and rotatable tub 13 through air supply port 72. The air supplied into rotatable tub 13 dries the clothes inside rotatable tub 13.

[0018] An intake air temperature sensor 36 is provided in the intake air duct 43 to detect the temperature of the air in the intake air duct 43. The intake air temperature sensor 36 detects the temperature of the air supplied from the intake air duct 43 into the rotating tub 13. The intake air temperature sensor 36 is disposed near the intake air port 72, for example.

[0019] Clothes dryer 2 is equipped with heat pump 50 that dehumidifies and heats the air in circulation air duct 40 to dry the air. An evaporator 54 and a condenser 52 of heat pump 50 are arranged in heat exchange air duct 42 of circulation air duct 40. Evaporator 54 is arranged upstream of condenser 52 in the flow direction of air flowing through heat exchange air duct 42. Evaporator 54 and condenser 52 of heat pump 50 dehumidify and heat the air flowing through heat exchange air duct 42.

[0020] Additionally, a blower fan 30 is disposed within heat exchange air duct 42. Blower fan 30 is disposed upstream of condenser 52 in the direction of air flow through heat exchange air duct 42. Blower fan 30 is rotatably disposed within heat exchange air duct 42 and rotates by operation of motor 32. As blower fan 30 rotates, air is sent from the upstream side to the downstream side of heat exchange air duct 42. This causes air to circulate within water tub 12 and rotating tub 13 through circulation air duct 40.

[0021] Heat pump 50 includes a refrigerant circulation path 55, a compressor 51, a condenser 52 (heat exchanger for heating), an expansion valve 53, and an evaporator 54 (heat exchanger for dehumidification). Operation of compressor 51 causes refrigerant to circulate through refrigerant circulation path 55. Heat pump 50 dehumidifies and heats drying air flowing through circulation air path 40 using the heat of the refrigerant circulating through refrigerant circulation path 55. The dry air dehumidified and heated by heat pump 50 is supplied from circulation air path 40 into water tub 12 and rotatable tub 13. The dry air supplied into water tub 12 and rotatable tub 13 dries the clothes in rotatable tub 13. The principle of heat pump 50 is well known, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the control system of the clothes dryer 2. The clothes dryer 2 is equipped with a control unit 100 that controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned components. The control unit 100 is equipped with, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and executes various controls and processes related to the clothes dryer 2 based on a predetermined program. Note that Fig. 3 shows only some of the components of the clothes dryer 2.

[0023] (Clothes dryer 2 operation) Next, the operation of the clothes dryer 2 will be described. The clothes dryer 2 can perform a drying operation in which the clothes in the rotatable tub 13 are dried using air supplied from the circulating air duct 40 into the rotatable tub 13. The clothes dryer 2 can perform a deodorizing mode operation and a sterilizing mode operation during the drying operation. In the clothes dryer 2, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 100 first performs the deodorizing mode operation, and then performs the sterilizing mode operation. The timing of the transition from the deodorizing mode operation to the sterilizing mode operation is not limited.

[0024] In the deodorizing mode operation, the control unit 100 performs the drying operation with the exhaust damper 45 open. In addition, in the deodorizing mode operation, the control unit 100 performs the drying operation with the blower fan 30 rotating at a first rotation speed (for example, 4000 rpm). In addition, in the deodorizing mode operation, the control unit 100 controls the compressor 51 of the heat pump 50 so as to maintain the frequency of the compressor 51 at a predetermined constant frequency (for example, 70 Hz).

[0025] In the sterilization mode operation, the control unit 100 performs the drying operation with the exhaust damper 45 closed. In addition, in the sterilization mode operation, the control unit 100 performs the drying operation with the blower fan 30 rotating at a second rotation speed (e.g., 3500 rpm) that is lower than the first rotation speed. In addition, in the sterilization mode operation, the control unit 100 controls the compressor 51 of the heat pump 50 based on the air temperature T1 detected by the supply air temperature sensor 36. The control unit 100 changes the frequency of the compressor 51 of the heat pump 50 so that the air temperature T1 detected by the supply air temperature sensor 36 is maintained within a predetermined temperature range (e.g., not lower than 60°C and lower than 70°C).

[0026] (effect) The clothes dryer 2 of the embodiment has been described above. As is clear from the above description, the clothes dryer 2 includes a blower fan 30 that sends air in the circulation air duct 40 from upstream to downstream, and an exhaust damper 45 that opens and closes a portion of the circulation air duct 40 upstream of the compressor 51 of the heat pump 50. In the deodorization mode operation, the control unit 100 performs a drying operation with the exhaust damper 45 open and the blower fan 30 rotating at a first rotation speed. In the sterilization mode operation, the control unit 100 performs a drying operation with the exhaust damper 45 closed and the blower fan 30 rotating at a second rotation speed that is lower than the first rotation speed. In the sterilization mode operation, the control unit 100 also controls the compressor 51 of the heat pump 50 so that the air temperature detected by the supply air temperature sensor 36 is maintained within a predetermined temperature range.

[0027] According to this configuration, in deodorizing mode operation, by performing the drying operation with exhaust damper 45 open, the air flowing through circulation air duct 40 can be discharged to the outside of circulation air duct 40. This allows the air used to dry the clothes in rotatable tub 13 to be discharged to the outside. In clothes dryer 2, for example, odorous components may adhere to the clothes to be dried, causing the air after the clothes have been dried to contain odorous components. As a result, the air discharged from rotatable tub 13 to circulation air duct 40 may contain odorous components. However, with the above configuration, the air containing odorous components can be discharged to the outside. Furthermore, in deodorizing mode operation, by rotating blower fan 30 at the first rotation speed, the flow rate of air flowing through circulation air duct 40 can be relatively increased. This allows the air containing odorous components to be discharged to the outside of circulation air duct 40 quickly. Therefore, clothes can be efficiently deodorized.

[0028] Furthermore, in the sterilization mode operation, by performing the drying operation with the exhaust damper 45 closed, the high-temperature air used to dry the clothes can be retained in the circulating air duct 40 without being discharged to the outside. This allows the high-temperature air to be circulated and supplied into the rotating tub 13. Therefore, the clothes in the rotating tub 13 can be sterilized by the high-temperature air. Furthermore, in the sterilization mode operation, by rotating the blower fan 30 at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed, the flow rate of air flowing through the circulating air duct 40 can be relatively reduced. This allows the high-temperature air used to dry the clothes to be retained in the rotating tub 13 for a relatively long period of time. This allows the high-temperature air to be retained in the rotating tub 13, and the high-temperature air can sterilize the clothes in the rotating tub 13. Therefore, the clothes can be sterilized efficiently.

[0029] Furthermore, with the above configuration, in sterilization mode operation, by closing exhaust damper 45 and setting the rotation speed of blower fan 30 to the second rotation speed, high-temperature air can be retained in circulating air duct 40 and rotating tub 13 without increasing the frequency of compressor 51 of heat pump 50. This reduces the load on compressor 51 of heat pump 50 and enables the high-temperature air to sterilize the clothes in rotating tub 13.

[0030] (Correspondence) The rotating tub 13 is an example of a "storage tub." The intake air temperature sensor 36 is an example of a "first temperature sensor." The exhaust air temperature sensor 34 is an example of a "second temperature sensor." The deodorizing mode operation is an example of a "first mode operation." The sterilizing mode operation is an example of a "second mode operation." The heat pump 50 is an example of a "heating unit."

[0031] (Variation) There are several variations in the operation of the deodorizing mode and sterilizing mode of the clothes dryer 2. In the following description, the same components as those in the above description are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] (First Modification) In the first modified example, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 100 ends the deodorization mode operation and starts the sterilization mode operation after a predetermined first reference time (e.g., 90 minutes, 120 minutes, etc.) has elapsed since the start of the deodorization mode operation. The first reference time is not particularly limited. Other operational details of the deodorization mode operation and the sterilization mode operation are the same as those described above. With this configuration, it is possible to ensure sufficient operating time for the deodorization mode operation, and it is possible to switch to the sterilization mode operation after the clothes have been sufficiently deodorized by the deodorization mode operation.

[0033] (Second Modification) In the second modification, as shown in Fig. 6, when the air temperature T1 detected by the supply air temperature sensor 36 during deodorization mode operation becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined first reference temperature (e.g., 60°C), the control unit 100 ends the deodorization mode operation and starts the sterilization mode operation. There are no particular restrictions on the first reference temperature. This configuration allows the transition to the sterilization mode operation at an early stage.

[0034] In the sterilization mode operation, the control unit 100 controls the compressor 51 of the heat pump 50 based on the air temperature T1 detected by the supply air temperature sensor 36. The control unit 100 changes the frequency of the compressor 51 of the heat pump 50 so that the air temperature T1 detected by the supply air temperature sensor 36 is maintained at or above a first reference temperature (e.g., 60°C). Other operational details in the deodorization mode operation and the sterilization mode operation are the same as those described above.

[0035] (Third Modification) In the third modified example, as shown in Fig. 7, when the air temperature T2 detected by the exhaust temperature sensor 34 during deodorization mode operation becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined second reference temperature (e.g., 60°C), the control unit 100 ends the deodorization mode operation and starts the sterilization mode operation. The second reference temperature is not particularly limited. The second reference temperature may be the same as or different from the first reference temperature described above. The second reference temperature may be a temperature lower than the first reference temperature described above.

[0036] In the sterilization mode, the control unit 100 controls the compressor 51 of the heat pump 50 based on the air temperature T2 detected by the exhaust temperature sensor 34. The control unit 100 changes the frequency of the compressor 51 of the heat pump 50 so that the air temperature T2 detected by the exhaust temperature sensor 34 is maintained at or above a second reference temperature (e.g., 60°C). The control unit 100 changes the frequency of the compressor 51 of the heat pump 50 so that the air temperature T2 detected by the exhaust temperature sensor 34 is maintained within a predetermined temperature range (e.g., not less than 60°C and less than 70°C). Other operational details in the deodorization mode operation and the sterilization mode operation are the same as those described above. With this configuration, it is possible to transition to the sterilization mode operation when the air temperature in the rotating tub 13 is high.

[0037] (Fourth Modification) In the fourth modified example, as shown in Fig. 8, the control unit 100 ends the sterilization mode operation after a predetermined second reference time (e.g., 40 minutes, 50 minutes, etc.) has elapsed since the start of the sterilization mode operation. The second reference time is not particularly limited. Other operational details of the deodorization mode operation and the sterilization mode operation are the same as those described above. With this configuration, it is possible to ensure sufficient time for the sterilization mode operation, and the sterilization mode operation can thoroughly sterilize clothing.

[0038] (Fifth Modification) In the fifth modified example, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 100 opens the exhaust damper 45 when the air temperature T2 detected by the exhaust temperature sensor 34 during sterilization mode operation remains at or above a predetermined third reference temperature (e.g., 60°C) for a predetermined third reference time (e.g., 15 minutes) or more. The sterilization mode operation continues with the exhaust damper 45 open. The third reference time is not particularly limited. The third reference time may be the same as or different from the second reference time described above. The third reference time may be shorter than the second reference time. Other operational details in the deodorization mode operation and the sterilization mode operation are the same as those described above.

[0039] This configuration can prevent the temperature of the air in the rotating tub 13 from becoming too high during the sterilization mode operation. Also, the load on the compressor 51 of the heat pump 50 can be reduced.

[0040] (Other variations) In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the control unit 100 performs the drying operation in the sterilization mode operation with the exhaust damper 45 closed and the blower fan 30 rotating at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed. However, this configuration is not limited to this. It is sufficient for either one of the conditions to be satisfied in the sterilization mode operation. That is, the control unit 100 performs the drying operation in the sterilization mode operation with the exhaust damper 45 closed and / or the blower fan 30 rotating at the second rotation speed. For example, the control unit 100 may perform the drying operation in the sterilization mode operation with the exhaust damper 45 open and the blower fan 30 rotating at the second rotation speed. Alternatively, the control unit 100 may perform the drying operation in the sterilization mode operation with the exhaust damper 45 closed and the blower fan 30 rotating at the first rotation speed.

[0041] In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the air in the circulating air duct 40 is heated by the heat pump 50, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. In a modified example, the air in the circulating air duct 40 may be heated by an electric heater (not shown).

[0042] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives alone is technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 2: clothes dryer, 10: housing, 12: water tub, 13: rotating tub, 15: drainage channel, 16: drainage valve, 20: water supply channel, 24: water supply valve, 30: blower fan, 34: exhaust temperature sensor, 36: intake air temperature sensor, 40: circulation air channel, 41: exhaust air channel, 42: heat exchange air channel, 43: intake air channel, 45: exhaust damper, 50: heat pump, 51: compressor, 52: condenser, 53: expansion valve, 54: evaporator, 55: refrigerant circulation channel, 71: exhaust port, 72: intake port, 100: control unit

Claims

1. a storage tank for storing clothes; a circulation air duct for supplying air for drying clothes into the storage tub, the circulation air duct circulating air discharged from the storage tub and supplying it back into the storage tub; a heating unit that heats the air in the circulation air passage; a blower fan that sends air in the circulating air passage from the upstream side to the downstream side; an exhaust damper that opens and closes a part of the circulation air passage upstream of the heating unit; a control unit, A clothes dryer capable of performing a drying operation to dry clothes in the storage tub by air supplied from the circulating air duct into the storage tub, The control unit In the drying operation, a first mode operation and a subsequent second mode operation can be performed, In the first mode operation, the drying operation is performed with the exhaust damper open and the blower fan rotating at a first rotation speed, and in the second mode operation, the drying operation is performed with the exhaust damper closed and the blower fan rotating at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed.

2. a first temperature sensor that detects the temperature of air supplied from the circulating air passage into the storage tank; the heating unit includes a heat pump that heats the air in the circulation air duct, 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein, in the second mode operation, the control unit controls the compressor of the heat pump so that the air temperature detected by the first temperature sensor is maintained within a predetermined temperature range.

3. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit ends the first mode operation and starts the second mode operation after a predetermined first reference time has elapsed since the start of the first mode operation.

4. a first temperature sensor that detects the temperature of air supplied from the circulating air passage into the storage tank; 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit terminates the first mode operation and starts the second mode operation when the air temperature detected by the first temperature sensor during the first mode operation becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined first reference temperature.

5. a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of air discharged from the storage tank to the circulating air duct; 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit terminates the first mode operation and starts the second mode operation when the air temperature detected by the second temperature sensor during the first mode operation becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined second reference temperature.

6. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit terminates the second mode operation after a predetermined second reference time has elapsed since the start of the second mode operation.

7. a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of air discharged from the storage tank to the circulating air duct; 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit opens the exhaust damper when the air temperature detected by the second temperature sensor during the second mode operation remains at or above a predetermined third reference temperature for a predetermined third reference time or longer.

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