JP2008220448A - Clothes dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately decide and report the air volume abnormal reduction of circulation air which accelerates drying in a clothes dryer on which a refrigerating cycle is loaded. <P>SOLUTION: Control means 30 decides the abnormal reduction of air volume on the basis of a suction overheat degree calculated as a difference between the detected temperatures of suction temperature detection means 18 and evaporation temperature detection means 19, and when deciding the air volume abnormal reduction, the air volume abnormal reduction is reported to a user in air volume reduction reporting means 29. Thus, the control means accurately decides and reports the abnormal reduction of air volume on the basis of the suction overheat degree, lint filter cleaning is urged, and a drying operation in an air volume abnormal reduction state is prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、冷凍サイクルを用いて衣類の乾燥を行う衣類乾燥機に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a clothes dryer for drying clothes using a refrigeration cycle.

従来のドラム式衣類乾燥機は図２に示すような構成であった。以下、その構成について説明する。図に示すように、外装ケース５１内に水平軸を中心軸として回転する回転ドラム５２が配置してあり、回転ドラム５２の前面の開口は、扉５３で開閉されるようにしてある。外装ケース５１内には、回転ドラム５２の内部に設定される乾燥室５４を含む風路５５が構成してあり、風路５５に循環用ファン５６と通流する空気中の糸くずを除去するリントフィルタ５７とを設けている。風路５５内に設置した吸熱器５８、放熱器５９と、風路５５外に設置した圧縮手段６０、減圧手段６１で冷凍サイクルを構成している。吸熱器５８で除湿した除湿水を排水するための除湿水排水路６２を設けている。   A conventional drum-type clothes dryer has a structure as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described. As shown in the figure, a rotating drum 52 that rotates about a horizontal axis as a central axis is disposed in an outer case 51, and an opening on the front surface of the rotating drum 52 is opened and closed by a door 53. An air passage 55 including a drying chamber 54 set inside the rotary drum 52 is formed in the outer case 51, and lint in the air that flows through the air passage 55 and the circulation fan 56 is removed. A lint filter 57 is provided. The heat absorber 58 and the radiator 59 installed in the air passage 55 and the compression means 60 and the decompression means 61 installed outside the air passage 55 constitute a refrigeration cycle. A dehumidified water drainage passage 62 for draining dehumidified water dehumidified by the heat absorber 58 is provided.

上記構成において、衣類の乾燥運転時は、循環用ファン５６を動作させ、吸熱器５８、放熱器５９、乾燥室５４の順に空気が流れるよう風路５５にて空気を循環させる。ここで圧縮手段６０を動作させ、乾燥室５４から流入した高湿の空気を吸熱器５８にて冷却除湿し、その後放熱器５９で空気を加熱し、高温低湿の空気を乾燥室５４に戻し、衣類の乾燥を促進させる。除湿水は除湿水排水通路６２を通じて機外に排出される。
特許第３３３０７８９号公報 In the above configuration, during the clothes drying operation, the circulation fan 56 is operated, and the air is circulated through the air passage 55 so that the air flows in the order of the heat absorber 58, the radiator 59, and the drying chamber 54. Here, the compression means 60 is operated, and the high-humidity air flowing in from the drying chamber 54 is cooled and dehumidified by the heat absorber 58, and then the air is heated by the radiator 59, and the high-temperature and low-humidity air is returned to the drying chamber 54. Promotes drying of clothing. The dehumidified water is discharged out of the machine through the dehumidified water drain passage 62.
Japanese Patent No. 3330789

しかしながら、上記従来の構成では、リントフィルタ５７に糸くずが多量に堆積し、循環空気の風量が異常に減少することを検知することに関しては開示していない。なお、風量異常減少状態で衣類乾燥運転を行うと、乾燥時間が延び無駄な電力を消費するだけでなく、吸熱器５８に流入する空気のエンタルピが足りず、特に外気温度や水温の低い時に、冷媒が吸熱器５８において完全に蒸発せずに液混じりで吸熱器５８から流出して、いわゆる、圧縮手段６０の液圧縮が発生し、圧縮手段６０が故障する恐れがあるという課題があった。   However, the above-described conventional configuration does not disclose that a large amount of lint accumulates on the lint filter 57 and detects that the air volume of the circulating air is abnormally reduced. In addition, when clothing drying operation is performed in an air volume abnormally reduced state, not only is drying time extended and wasteful power is consumed, but also the enthalpy of the air flowing into the heat absorber 58 is insufficient, especially when the outside air temperature and water temperature are low, There is a problem that the refrigerant does not completely evaporate in the heat absorber 58 and flows out of the heat absorber 58 due to liquid mixture, so-called liquid compression of the compression means 60 occurs, and the compression means 60 may break down.

また、風量異常減少状態で圧縮手段６０の運転を継続すると、吸熱器５８での冷媒の蒸発温度が低下し、吸熱器５８に着霜する恐れがあり、着霜すると循環空気の圧損が高くなってさらに風量が低下し、圧縮手段６０での液圧縮の発生確率がさらに高まり、また循環用ファン５６に負荷がかかる課題があった。さらに、放熱器５９での放熱が不十分となり、凝縮温度が上昇して凝縮圧力が上昇し、圧縮手段６０に過負荷がかかって、運転が継続できない課題もあった。   Further, if the operation of the compression means 60 is continued in the state where the air flow rate is abnormally reduced, the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant in the heat absorber 58 may decrease, and the heat absorber 58 may be frosted. If frost is formed, the pressure loss of the circulating air increases. Thus, there is a problem that the air volume is further reduced, the probability of occurrence of liquid compression in the compression means 60 is further increased, and the circulation fan 56 is loaded. Furthermore, there is a problem that heat cannot be continued due to insufficient heat radiation in the radiator 59, an increase in the condensation temperature, an increase in the condensation pressure, and an overload on the compression means 60.

本発明は、このような従来の構成の課題を解決しようとするもので、リントフィルタつまりによる風量の異常減少を精度よく検知して、使用者に報知することを目的とする。   An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem of the conventional configuration, and it is an object of the present invention to accurately detect an abnormal decrease in air volume due to a lint filter, that is, to notify a user.

上記従来の課題を解決するために、本発明の衣類乾燥機は、吸入温度検出手段と蒸発温度検出手段の検出温度の差として算出される吸入過熱度に基づいて風量異常減少を判定し、制御手段が風量異常減少と判定すると風量減少報知手段にて風量異常減少を報知する。   In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the clothes dryer of the present invention determines an abnormal decrease in the air flow based on the degree of intake superheat calculated as the difference between the detected temperatures of the intake temperature detection means and the evaporation temperature detection means, and performs control. When the means determines that the air flow rate is abnormally decreased, the air flow rate decrease notifying means notifies the air volume abnormality decrease.

風量が異常に減少した時、吸熱器での冷媒の吸熱量が減少して圧縮手段が吸入する冷媒の吸入過熱度が減少する。   When the air volume is abnormally decreased, the heat absorption amount of the refrigerant in the heat absorber is decreased, and the suction superheat degree of the refrigerant sucked by the compression means is decreased.

これにより、吸入過熱度に基づいて制御手段が精度良く風量の異常減少を判定できる。   As a result, the control means can accurately determine the abnormal decrease in the air volume based on the suction superheat degree.

本発明の衣類乾燥機は、風量の異常減少を報知して、使用者にリントフィルタ清掃を促し、風量異常減少状態での乾燥運転を未然に防止することができる。   The clothes dryer of the present invention can notify the user of the abnormal decrease in the air volume, prompt the user to clean the lint filter, and prevent the drying operation in the air volume abnormally reduced state.

第１の発明は、本体と、前記本体内に支持し衣類を乾燥する乾燥室と、冷凍サイクルを構成する圧縮手段、放熱器、減圧手段および吸熱器と、前記吸熱器に空気を供給する送風手段と、前記吸熱器に供給される空気中の糸くずや埃を捕捉するリントフィルタと、前記吸熱器での冷媒の蒸発温度を検出する蒸発温度検出手段と、前記圧縮機が吸入する冷媒の温度を検出する吸入温度検出手段と、前記送風手段の送風空気量の異常減少を報知する風量減少報知手段と、前記圧縮手段と前記送風手段と前記風量減少報知手段を制御するとともに、風量異常減少を検知する制御手段を備え、前記制御手段は、前記吸入温度検出手段と前記蒸発温度検出手段の検出温度の差として算出される吸入過熱度に基づいて風量異常減少を判定し、前記制御手段が風量異常減少と判定すると前記風量減少報知手段にて風量異常減少を使用者に報知することにより、風量に大きく影響される圧縮手段の吸入過熱度を基に制御手段が風量異常減少を精度良く検出することができ、風量減少報知手段にて風量異常減少を使用者に報知して、使用者によるリントフィルタ清掃を促し、風量異常減少状態での乾燥運転を未然に防止することができる。   The first invention includes a main body, a drying chamber that is supported in the main body and dries clothes, a compression means, a radiator, a decompression means and a heat absorber constituting a refrigeration cycle, and an air supply for supplying air to the heat absorber. Means, a lint filter for capturing lint and dust in the air supplied to the heat absorber, an evaporation temperature detecting means for detecting the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant in the heat absorber, and a refrigerant sucked by the compressor The suction temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature, the air volume decrease notifying means for notifying the abnormal decrease of the blown air amount of the air blowing means, the compression means, the air blowing means, and the air volume decrease notifying means are controlled, and the air volume abnormal decrease is controlled. The control means determines an abnormal decrease in the air volume based on the degree of intake superheat calculated as the difference between the detected temperatures of the intake temperature detection means and the evaporation temperature detection means, and the control means When it is determined that the air volume has decreased abnormally, the air volume decrease notification means notifies the user of the air volume abnormality decrease, so that the control means accurately detects the air volume abnormality decrease based on the suction superheat degree of the compression means greatly influenced by the air volume. The air volume reduction notifying means can notify the user of the abnormal decrease in the air volume, prompt the user to clean the lint filter, and prevent the drying operation in the air volume abnormally reduced state.

第２の発明は、特に、第１の発明において、制御手段は、圧縮手段が起動してから判定時間内に吸入過熱度が判定値を越えないと風量異常減少と判定することにより、簡潔な判定条件で精度良く風量異常減少を判定できる。   According to a second aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, the control means determines that the air flow rate abnormally decreases unless the suction superheat degree exceeds the determination value within the determination time after the compression means is activated. It is possible to accurately determine an abnormal decrease in air volume based on the determination conditions.

第３の発明は、特に、第１または第２の発明において、制御手段が風量異常減少と判定すると、圧縮手段の能力を減少させることにより、冷媒循環量を減らして蒸発温度を高め、圧縮手段での液圧縮や、吸熱器での着霜を防止できる。   In particular, according to the third invention, in the first or second invention, when the control means determines that the air flow rate is abnormally reduced, the refrigerant circulation amount is reduced and the evaporation temperature is increased by reducing the capacity of the compression means, thereby increasing the compression temperature. Can prevent liquid compression and frost formation at the heat absorber.

第４の発明は、特に、第１〜第３のいずれか１つの発明において、減圧手段は、減圧量を調整可能に構成し、制御手段が風量異常減少と判定すると、減圧量が大きくなるよう減圧手段を制御することにより、冷媒循環量を減らして圧縮手段の吸入過熱度を適度に確保し、圧縮手段での液圧縮をさらに確実に防止できる。   According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the decompression unit is configured to be capable of adjusting the decompression amount, and the decompression amount is increased when the control unit determines that the air flow amount is abnormally reduced. By controlling the decompression means, it is possible to reduce the amount of refrigerant circulation and to ensure an adequate degree of suction superheating of the compression means, and to more reliably prevent liquid compression in the compression means.

第５の発明は、特に、第４の発明において、減圧手段は、電動膨張弁としたことより、減圧度を連続的に可変でき、幅広い運転状況にて圧縮手段の吸入過熱度を適度に確保し、圧縮手段の液圧縮をより確実に防止できる。   In the fifth invention, in particular, in the fourth invention, since the decompression means is an electric expansion valve, the degree of decompression can be continuously varied, and the suction superheat degree of the compression means is appropriately secured in a wide range of operating conditions. In addition, liquid compression of the compression means can be prevented more reliably.

第６の発明は、特に、第１〜第５のいずれか１つの発明において、乾燥室に収容した衣類の洗濯を可能にしたことにより、衣類の洗濯から乾燥までを同一槽内で一貫して行うことができ、単一筐体で省スペースの衣類洗濯乾燥機を提供できる。   In particular, in the sixth invention, in any one of the first to fifth inventions, the clothes stored in the drying chamber can be washed, so that the clothes can be washed and dried in the same tank. A space-saving clothes washer / dryer can be provided with a single housing.

以下、本発明の実施の形態について、図面を参照しながら説明する。なお、この実施の形態によって本発明が限定されるものではない。   Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

（実施の形態１）
図１は、本発明の第１の実施の形態における衣類乾燥機の全体断面図である。本体１の内部には、円筒状の外槽２を設け、外槽２の内部には、衣類（図示せず）を収容する円筒状の内槽３を回転可能に設け、モータ４により回転駆動される。内槽３は洗濯工程においては、衣類の洗濯室となり、乾燥工程においては、衣類の乾燥室５となる。 (Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an overall cross-sectional view of a clothes dryer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A cylindrical outer tub 2 is provided inside the main body 1, and a cylindrical inner tub 3 for storing clothes (not shown) is rotatably provided inside the outer tub 2, and is driven to rotate by a motor 4. Is done. The inner tub 3 becomes a clothes laundry room in the washing process, and becomes a clothes drying room 5 in the drying process.

本体１の前面には衣類を出し入れする開口部６と、これを開閉する扉７が設けられている。本体１の下部に洗濯水や除湿水を排出する排水口８を設け、洗濯水排水経路９に排水弁１０を設けている。乾燥室５を通じて空気を循環させる送風手段１１を設け、空気中のほこりや糸くずなどの異物を除去する取り外し可能に構成したリントフィルタ１２を設けている。   On the front surface of the main body 1, there are provided an opening 6 for putting clothes in and out and a door 7 for opening and closing the opening. A drain port 8 for discharging washing water and dehumidified water is provided in the lower part of the main body 1, and a drain valve 10 is provided in the washing water drain path 9. An air blowing means 11 for circulating air through the drying chamber 5 is provided, and a detachable lint filter 12 for removing foreign matters such as dust and lint in the air is provided.

圧縮手段１３、放熱器１４、減圧手段である電動膨張弁１５、吸熱器１６を環状に管で接続して冷凍サイクルを構成し、吸熱器１６が空気の通流方向の上流側になるよう放熱器１４と吸熱器１６を循環風路１７に配置している。また、圧縮手段１３の吸入冷媒の温度を検出する吸入温度検出手段１８、吸熱器１６での冷媒の蒸発温度を検出する蒸発温度検出手段１９を設けている。   The refrigeration cycle is configured by connecting the compression means 13, the radiator 14, the electric expansion valve 15, which is a decompression means, and the heat absorber 16 in a ring shape, and radiates heat so that the heat absorber 16 is located upstream in the air flow direction. The heat exchanger 14 and the heat absorber 16 are disposed in the circulation air passage 17. Further, an intake temperature detecting means 18 for detecting the temperature of the intake refrigerant of the compression means 13 and an evaporation temperature detecting means 19 for detecting the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant in the heat absorber 16 are provided.

乾燥室５と送風手段１１の間の循環風路１７に循環空気の一部を排気する排気口２０と外気が流入する流入口２１とを設け、流入口２１には外気流入制御弁２２を設けている。排気口２０と吸気口２１を通流する空気はリントフィルタ１２を通過し、異物が取り除かれる。また、乾燥室５と送風手段１１の間を通流する循環空気の温度を検出する循環空気温度検出手段２３を設けている。   The circulation air passage 17 between the drying chamber 5 and the air blowing means 11 is provided with an exhaust port 20 for exhausting a part of the circulating air and an inflow port 21 through which outside air flows, and an outside air inflow control valve 22 is provided at the inflow port 21. ing. The air flowing through the exhaust port 20 and the intake port 21 passes through the lint filter 12, and foreign matters are removed. Further, circulating air temperature detecting means 23 for detecting the temperature of the circulating air flowing between the drying chamber 5 and the blowing means 11 is provided.

吸熱器１６の下部には、吸熱器１６で発生した除湿水を一時的に貯める除湿水容器２４が設けられており、除湿水容器２４に貯まった水は排水ポンプ２５の動作により排水口８を経て本体１外へと排出される。除湿水排水経路２６は排水弁１０の下流にて洗濯水排水経路９と合流している。除湿水容器２４の満水を検出する水位検出手段２７を設けている。   A dehumidifying water container 24 for temporarily storing dehumidified water generated by the heat absorber 16 is provided below the heat absorber 16, and the water stored in the dehumidified water container 24 is connected to the drain outlet 8 by the operation of the drain pump 25. Then, it is discharged out of the main body 1. The dehumidified water drainage path 26 joins the washing water drainage path 9 downstream of the drainage valve 10. A water level detecting means 27 for detecting the full water in the dehumidified water container 24 is provided.

本体１の前面上部に操作手段２８を配置しており、風量減少報知手段２９を併設している。操作手段２８の操作や、吸入温度検出手段１８、蒸発温度検出手段１９、循環空気温度検出手段２３、水位検出手段２７の情報が制御手段３０に入力され、制御手段３０はモータ４、排水弁１０、送風手段１１、圧縮手段１３、電動膨張弁１５、外気流入制御弁２２、排水ポンプ２５、風量減少報知手段２９を制御して洗濯、脱水、乾燥の各運転を制御する。   An operation means 28 is arranged at the upper front of the main body 1 and an air volume reduction notification means 29 is also provided. Information on the operation means 28, the suction temperature detection means 18, the evaporation temperature detection means 19, the circulating air temperature detection means 23, and the water level detection means 27 is input to the control means 30, and the control means 30 includes the motor 4 and the drain valve 10. The blower 11, the compressor 13, the electric expansion valve 15, the outside air inflow control valve 22, the drainage pump 25, and the air volume reduction notification unit 29 are controlled to control the operations of washing, dehydration, and drying.

以上のような構成において、動作、作用について説明する。洗濯運転では、排水弁１０を閉じた状態で外槽２内に所定の水位に達するまで給水を行い、モータ４により衣類と洗浄水の入った内槽３を回転させて衣類の洗濯を行う。また、洗濯後の濯ぎ運転でも、洗濯運転と同様に外槽２内に給水を行い、内槽３を回転させて衣類の濯ぎを行う。脱水運転では、排水弁１０を開いて機外へ水を排水した後、モータ４により衣類の入った内槽３を高速回転して脱水する。   The operation and action of the above configuration will be described. In the washing operation, water is supplied until the water level reaches a predetermined water level in the outer tub 2 with the drain valve 10 closed, and the clothes are washed by rotating the inner tub 3 containing clothes and washing water by the motor 4. In the rinsing operation after washing, water is supplied into the outer tub 2 as in the washing operation, and the inner tub 3 is rotated to rinse the clothes. In the dehydration operation, the drain valve 10 is opened to drain water to the outside of the machine, and then the motor 4 is rotated at high speed to dehydrate the inner tub 3 containing clothes.

乾燥運転が開始されると、外気流入制御弁２２を閉弁し、送風手段１１を動作させ、図１中の点線矢印のように循環風路１７を通じて空気を循環させる。また圧縮手段１３を動作させ、電動膨張弁１５を所定開度に設定して冷凍サイクルを機能させる。吸熱器１６にて低温低圧の気液混合の冷媒は乾燥室５より出た多湿の空気より顕熱および潜熱を吸熱して蒸発し、低圧の過熱状態のガス状冷媒となる。圧縮手段１３が吸入した冷媒は圧縮されて高温高圧のガス状冷媒となり、放熱器１４にて空気に放熱して凝縮し、高圧の液状冷媒となる。そして電動膨張弁１５にて減圧され、再び吸熱器１６に流入する。   When the drying operation is started, the outside air inflow control valve 22 is closed, the air blowing means 11 is operated, and the air is circulated through the circulation air passage 17 as indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. Further, the compression means 13 is operated, and the electric expansion valve 15 is set to a predetermined opening so that the refrigeration cycle functions. The low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid mixed refrigerant in the heat absorber 16 evaporates by absorbing sensible heat and latent heat from the humid air coming out of the drying chamber 5 and becomes a low-pressure superheated gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant sucked by the compressing means 13 is compressed to become a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, dissipates heat into the air by the radiator 14 and condenses to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Then, the pressure is reduced by the electric expansion valve 15 and flows into the heat absorber 16 again.

循環空気の温度が上昇し、凝縮温度検出手段（図示せず）の検出する放熱器１４における凝縮温度が所定温度に達すると、外気流入制御弁２２を開弁して循環空気の一部を排気口２０より排気するとともに外気を流入口２１より吸引することにより、圧縮手段１３への入力に相当するエンタルピを循環空気から放熱し、凝縮圧力の過昇を招くことなく、安全に圧縮手段１３を運転できる。そして、前述した凝縮温度検出手段の検出温度にて圧縮手段１３の能力をフィードバック制御し、凝縮温度を所定温度に維持する。   When the temperature of the circulating air rises and the condensing temperature in the radiator 14 detected by the condensing temperature detecting means (not shown) reaches a predetermined temperature, the outside air inflow control valve 22 is opened to exhaust a part of the circulating air. By exhausting from the port 20 and sucking outside air from the inlet 21, the enthalpy corresponding to the input to the compression means 13 is dissipated from the circulating air, and the compression means 13 can be safely operated without causing an excessive increase in the condensation pressure. I can drive. Then, the ability of the compression means 13 is feedback-controlled with the detection temperature of the condensation temperature detection means described above to maintain the condensation temperature at a predetermined temperature.

内槽３はモータ４により回転駆動されて衣類は上下に攪拌され、循環空気が衣類の隙間を通るときに水分を奪い、多湿状態で外槽２より出て循環風路１７を通流して送風手段１１に吸引され、吸熱器１６に供給される。吸熱器１６において空気を冷却して結露させ、空気から除湿する。この空気は放熱器１４において加熱されて高温低湿の温風となり、循環風路１７を通流して内槽３に再び流入し、衣類の乾燥を促進する。吸熱器１６で発生した除湿水は、除湿水容器２４に貯まり、水位検出手段２７が所定水位に達したことを検知すると排水ポンプ２５を所定時間動作させて本体１外へと排出される。乾燥室５を通過した循環空気には糸くずが混入しているが、リントフィルタ１２で捕捉される。上記動作により、衣類の乾燥が進行する。   The inner tub 3 is rotationally driven by the motor 4 so that the clothes are stirred up and down, deprived of moisture when the circulating air passes through the gap between the clothes, exits the outer tub 2 in a humid state, flows through the circulation air passage 17 and blows air. It is sucked by the means 11 and supplied to the heat absorber 16. In the heat absorber 16, the air is cooled and condensed, and dehumidified from the air. This air is heated in the radiator 14 to become hot air of high temperature and low humidity, flows through the circulation air passage 17 and flows into the inner tub 3 again, and promotes drying of clothes. The dehumidified water generated in the heat absorber 16 is stored in the dehumidified water container 24, and when it is detected that the water level detecting means 27 has reached a predetermined water level, the drain pump 25 is operated for a predetermined time and discharged outside the main body 1. Waste thread is mixed in the circulating air that has passed through the drying chamber 5, but is captured by the lint filter 12. By the above operation, the clothing is dried.

ところで、循環風量が異常に減少した時、吸熱器１６での冷媒の吸熱量が減少して圧縮手段１３が吸入する冷媒の吸入過熱度が減少する。つまり、吸入過熱度の情報により、循環風量の異常減少を判定できる。   By the way, when the circulation air volume is abnormally reduced, the heat absorption amount of the refrigerant in the heat absorber 16 is reduced, and the suction superheat degree of the refrigerant sucked by the compression means 13 is reduced. That is, it is possible to determine an abnormal decrease in the circulating air volume based on the information on the suction superheat degree.

具体的には、吸入温度検出手段１８と蒸発温度検出手段１９の検出温度の差である吸入過熱度を制御手段３０が算出し、圧縮手段１３が起動してから判定時間（例えば６０分）内に吸入過熱度が判定値（例えば５Ｋ）を越えないと風量異常減少と判定して風量減少報知手段２９にて風量異常減少を使用者に報知する。そして制御手段３０は圧縮手段１３の駆動回転数を減じて能力を減少させるとともに電動膨脹弁１５の開度を小さくして減圧量を大きくし、吸熱器１６での冷媒の蒸発をより完全に行わせ、圧縮手段１３の吸入過熱度を適度に大きくさせる。   Specifically, the control means 30 calculates the suction superheat degree that is the difference between the detected temperatures of the suction temperature detection means 18 and the evaporation temperature detection means 19, and within the determination time (for example, 60 minutes) after the compression means 13 is activated. If the intake superheat degree does not exceed a determination value (for example, 5K), it is determined that the air flow rate is abnormally decreased, and the air flow rate decrease notification means 29 notifies the user of the air flow rate abnormal decrease. The control means 30 reduces the driving speed of the compression means 13 to reduce the capacity and reduces the opening of the electric expansion valve 15 to increase the amount of pressure reduction, so that the refrigerant in the heat absorber 16 is evaporated more completely. Therefore, the suction superheat degree of the compression means 13 is appropriately increased.

循環空気温度検出手段２３が乾燥室５を通過した循環空気の温度を検出し、検出温度が所定温度（例えば６０℃）になると乾燥を終了する。乾燥運転中に風量異常減少と判定された場合、乾燥終了後も風量減少報知手段２９にて風量異常減少を暫くの間報知し続け、使用者によるリントフィルタ１２の清掃を促す。風量異常減少のほとんどの原因は使用者がリントフィルタ１２を清掃せずに乾燥運転を繰り返し行ってリントフィルタ１２の通風抵抗が異常に大きくなることであり、使用者がリントフィルタ１２を清掃すると次回は正常な風量に復帰する。次回の洗濯や乾燥の運転開始時に、風量減少報知手段２９による報知は解除される。   The circulating air temperature detecting means 23 detects the temperature of the circulating air that has passed through the drying chamber 5, and when the detected temperature reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, 60 ° C.), the drying is finished. If it is determined during the drying operation that there is an abnormal decrease in air volume, the air volume decrease notification means 29 will continue to notify the air volume decrease for some time after the end of drying, and prompt the user to clean the lint filter 12. Most of the causes of the abnormal reduction of the air volume are that the user repeatedly performs the drying operation without cleaning the lint filter 12 and the ventilation resistance of the lint filter 12 becomes abnormally large. The next time the user cleans the lint filter 12 Will return to normal airflow. At the start of the next washing or drying operation, the notification by the air volume reduction notification means 29 is canceled.

以上説明したように、循環風量に大きく影響される吸入過熱度に基づいて、風量異常減少を精度良く検出することができ、風量減少報知手段２９にて風量異常減少を使用者に報知して、使用者によるリントフィルタ１２の清掃を促し、風量異常減少状態での乾燥運転を未然に防止することができる。その結果、乾燥時間が延び無駄な電力を消費することを抑制し、また圧縮手段１３での液圧縮による圧縮手段１３の故障、吸熱器１６での着霜発生による送風手段１１への過負荷、凝縮圧力の過昇による圧縮手段１３への過負荷を未然に防止して衣類乾燥機の長寿命化を達成できる。   As described above, based on the intake superheat degree greatly influenced by the circulating air volume, it is possible to accurately detect an abnormal decrease in the air volume, and notify the user of the abnormal decrease in the air volume by the air volume decrease notifying means 29. It is possible to prompt the user to clean the lint filter 12 and to prevent the drying operation in a state where the air flow is abnormally reduced. As a result, it is possible to suppress the drying time from consuming unnecessary power, and also the failure of the compression means 13 due to the liquid compression in the compression means 13, the overload on the air blowing means 11 due to the occurrence of frost formation in the heat absorber 16, It is possible to prevent an overload on the compression means 13 due to an excessive increase in the condensation pressure and to extend the life of the clothes dryer.

また、圧縮手段１３が起動してから判定時間内に吸入過熱度が判定値を越えないと風量異常減少と判定することにより、簡潔な判定条件で精度良く風量異常減少を判定できる。   Further, if the suction superheat degree does not exceed the determination value within the determination time after the compression unit 13 is activated, it is determined that the air volume abnormality is decreased, so that it is possible to accurately determine the air volume abnormality decrease with a simple determination condition.

また、制御手段３０が風量異常減少と判定すると、圧縮手段１３の能力を減少させることにより、冷媒循環量を減らして蒸発温度を高め、圧縮手段１３での液圧縮や、吸熱器１６での着霜を防止できる。   If the control means 30 determines that the air volume is abnormally decreased, the capacity of the compression means 13 is reduced, thereby reducing the refrigerant circulation rate and increasing the evaporation temperature, so that the liquid compression in the compression means 13 and the heat absorption in the heat absorber 16 are performed. Can prevent frost.

また、減圧手段１５は、減圧量を調整可能に構成し、制御手段３０が風量異常減少と判定すると、減圧量が大きくなるよう減圧手段を制御することにより、冷媒循環量を減らして圧縮手段１３の吸入過熱度を適度に確保し、圧縮手段１３での液圧縮をさらに確実に防止できる。   Further, the decompression means 15 is configured such that the decompression amount can be adjusted, and when the control means 30 determines that the air flow amount is abnormally reduced, the decompression means is controlled to increase the decompression amount, thereby reducing the refrigerant circulation amount and the compression means 13. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent liquid compression in the compression means 13.

また、減圧手段１５は、電動膨張弁１５としたことより、減圧度を連続的に可変でき、幅広い運転状況にて圧縮手段１３の吸入過熱度を適度に確保し、圧縮手段１３の液圧縮をより確実に防止できる。   Further, since the decompression means 15 is the electric expansion valve 15, the degree of decompression can be continuously changed, and the suction superheat degree of the compression means 13 can be appropriately secured in a wide range of operating conditions, and the liquid compression of the compression means 13 can be performed. It can be prevented more reliably.

また、乾燥室５に収容した衣類の洗濯を可能にしたことにより、衣類の洗濯から乾燥までを同一槽内で一貫して行うことができ、単一筐体で省スペースの衣類洗濯乾燥機を提供できる。   In addition, since the clothes housed in the drying chamber 5 can be washed, the washing and drying of the clothes can be performed consistently in the same tank. Can be provided.

なお、上記実施の形態では吸入温度検出手段１８と蒸発温度検出手段１９の検出温度の差で吸入過熱度を算出したが、蒸発圧力を検出する圧力検出手段を設け、吸入温度検出手段１８の検出温度と検出圧力から算出される蒸発温度との差で吸入過熱度を算出し、風量異常減少を判定してもよい。   In the above embodiment, the suction superheat degree is calculated based on the difference between the detected temperatures of the suction temperature detection means 18 and the evaporation temperature detection means 19, but a pressure detection means for detecting the evaporation pressure is provided, and the detection of the suction temperature detection means 18 is performed. The intake superheat degree may be calculated based on the difference between the temperature and the evaporation temperature calculated from the detected pressure to determine an abnormal decrease in air volume.

なお、上記実施の形態では風量異常減少を判定する判定時間や判定吸入過熱度を一定として説明したが、外気温度や給水温度を検出する温度検出手段を設け、それらの検出温度で判定時間や判定吸入過熱度を変化させてもよい。例えば外気温度や給水温度の検出温度が低くなると、判定時間をより長く、判定吸入」過熱度をより小さくする。   In the above-described embodiment, the determination time for determining an abnormal decrease in the air volume and the determination suction superheat degree have been described as being constant. The degree of inhalation superheat may be changed. For example, when the detected temperature of the outside air temperature or the feed water temperature is lowered, the determination time is longer and the determination intake “superheat degree” is further decreased.

なお、上記実施の形態では、電動膨張弁１５を減圧手段としたが、複数のキャピラリーチューブと切替弁にて減圧手段を構成し、減圧量を可変させてもよい。   In the above embodiment, the electric expansion valve 15 is the pressure reducing means. However, the pressure reducing means may be configured by a plurality of capillary tubes and a switching valve to vary the amount of pressure reduction.

なお、各実施の形態では、洗濯から乾燥までを同一の槽内において自動で行う洗濯機能付の衣類乾燥機に除湿手段を搭載したときの例について述べているが、これに限定されるものではなく、乾燥のみを行う衣類乾燥機であっても同様の効果が得られる。   In each embodiment, an example is described in which the dehumidifying means is mounted on a clothes dryer with a washing function that automatically performs from washing to drying in the same tank. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The same effect can be obtained even with a clothes dryer that only performs drying.

以上のように、本発明にかかる衣類乾燥機は、風量異常減少を精度良く判定でき、風量異常減少状態での乾燥運転を未然に防止できるので、冷凍サイクルを用いたあらゆる衣類乾燥機に対して本発明を適用できる。   As described above, the clothes dryer according to the present invention can accurately determine an abnormal decrease in air flow and can prevent a drying operation in a state where the air flow is abnormally reduced. The present invention can be applied.

本発明の実施の形態１を示す衣類乾燥機の全体断面図Whole sectional view of a clothes dryer showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention 従来の衣類乾燥機の断面図Cross section of conventional clothes dryer

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１ 本体
５ 乾燥室
１１ 送風手段
１２ リントフィルタ
１３ 圧縮手段
１４ 放熱器
１５ 電動膨張弁（減圧手段）
１６ 吸熱器
１８ 吸入温度検出手段
１９ 蒸発温度検出手段
２９ 風量減少報知手段
３０ 制御手段 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 5 Drying chamber 11 Blowing means 12 Lint filter 13 Compression means 14 Radiator 15 Electric expansion valve (pressure reduction means)
16 Heat absorber 18 Suction temperature detection means 19 Evaporation temperature detection means 29 Air volume reduction notification means 30 Control means

Claims (6)

本体と、前記本体内に支持し衣類を乾燥する乾燥室と、冷凍サイクルを構成する圧縮手段、放熱器、減圧手段および吸熱器と、前記吸熱器に空気を供給する送風手段と、前記吸熱器に供給される空気中の糸くずや埃を捕捉するリントフィルタと、前記吸熱器での冷媒の蒸発温度を検出する蒸発温度検出手段と、前記圧縮機が吸入する冷媒の温度を検出する吸入温度検出手段と、前記送風手段の送風空気量の異常減少を報知する風量減少報知手段と、前記圧縮手段と前記送風手段と前記風量減少報知手段を制御するとともに、風量異常減少を検知する制御手段とを備え、前記制御手段は、前記吸入温度検出手段と前記蒸発温度検出手段の検出温度の差として算出される吸入過熱度に基づいて風量異常減少を判定し、前記制御手段が風量異常減少と判定すると前記風量減少報知手段にて風量異常減少を報知するようにした衣類乾燥機。 A main body, a drying chamber supported in the main body and drying clothes, a compression means, a radiator, a decompression means and a heat absorber constituting a refrigeration cycle, a blower means for supplying air to the heat absorber, and the heat absorber A lint filter that captures lint and dust in the air supplied to the air, an evaporating temperature detecting means for detecting the evaporating temperature of the refrigerant in the heat absorber, and an intake temperature for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant sucked by the compressor Detecting means, air volume reduction notifying means for notifying an abnormal decrease in the amount of air blown by the air blowing means, control means for controlling the compression means, the air blowing means, and the air volume reduction notifying means, and a control means for detecting the air volume abnormal decrease. And the control means determines an abnormal decrease in the air volume based on a degree of intake superheat calculated as a difference between the detected temperatures of the intake temperature detecting means and the evaporation temperature detecting means, and the control means reduces the abnormal air volume. Clothes dryer adapted to notify the airflow abnormal decrease in the air volume decreases notifying means to determine. 制御手段は、圧縮手段が起動してから判定時間内に吸入過熱度が判定値を越えないと風量異常減少と判定するようにした請求項１記載の衣類乾燥機。 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the control means determines that the air flow rate is abnormally reduced unless the suction superheat degree exceeds the determination value within the determination time after the compression means is activated. 制御手段は、風量異常減少と判定すると圧縮手段の能力を減少させるようにした請求項１または２記載の衣類乾燥機。 3. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the control means reduces the capacity of the compression means when it is determined that the air volume is abnormally reduced. 減圧手段は、減圧量を調整可能に構成し、制御手段は、風量異常減少と判定すると減圧量が大きくなるように減圧手段を制御する請求項１〜３のいずれか１項に記載の衣類乾燥機。 4. The clothes drying according to claim 1, wherein the decompression unit is configured to be capable of adjusting the decompression amount, and the control unit controls the decompression unit so that the decompression amount is increased when it is determined that the air flow amount is abnormally decreased. Machine. 減圧手段は、電動膨脹弁とした請求項４記載の衣類乾燥機。 The clothes dryer according to claim 4, wherein the pressure reducing means is an electric expansion valve. 乾燥室に収容した衣類の洗濯を可能にした請求項１〜５のいずれか１項に記載の衣類乾燥機。 The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the clothes stored in the drying chamber can be washed.