Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a dehumidifier that dehumidifies a room, and more
particularly to a dehumidifier that dries laundry such as clothes to be dried in a
room.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, a dehumidifier suitable for dehumidifying a room and drying washed
clothes has been known (for example, see Patent Literature 1). The dehumidifier includes
an inlet and an outlet in a body, and the body includes an evaporator, a condenser,
and a sirocco fan that blows out dry air from the outlet. Furthermore, the dehumidifier
includes an air direction plate for blowing out the dry air in multiple directions
is rotatably provided inside the outlet, and a motor for driving the air direction
plate to rotate. With such a configuration, the dry air dehumidified and heated by
the evaporator and the condenser is blown out from the outlet into the room.
Citation List
Patent Literature
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0004] However, the configuration described in Patent Literature 1 does not perform appropriate
operation control of air blowing or dehumidification according to situations around
the dehumidifier, and thus has a problem in energy saving.
[0005] The present invention solves the above described problem, and has an object to provide
a dehumidifier that performs appropriate dehumidification control according to use
situations around the dehumidifier.
Solution to problem
[0006] To achieve the object, the dehumidifier includes: a casing; blowing means for taking
indoor air in and blowing the indoor air out of the casing; dehumidification means
for dehumidifying the indoor air taken into the casing; air temperature detection
means for measuring a temperature of the indoor air; air direction variable means
capable of varying an air direction of dry air obtained by dehumidifying the indoor
air by the dehumidification means when the dry air is blown out of the casing; surface
temperature detection means for detecting a surface temperature of a site located
in a blowing direction of the dry air; and control means for controlling the each
means, wherein the control means divides a region to which the air direction variable
means can blow air into a plurality of blocks, causes the surface temperature detection
means to detect the surface temperature of each block, calculates a temperature difference
between the temperature of the indoor air and the surface temperature, and compares
the temperature difference with a predetermined first determination temperature, thereby
determining whether or not an object to be dried is located in the block.
Advantageous Effect of Invention
[0007] The present invention can provides a dehumidifier capable of performing appropriate
dehumidification control according to use situations around the dehumidifier.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0008]
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an appearance of a dehumidifier according to Embodiment
1.
Figure 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an internal structure of the dehumidifier
according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of air direction variable means according
to Embodiment 1.
Figure 4 is a control block diagram of the dehumidifier according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 5 shows a detectable region of an infrared sensor in the dehumidifier according
to Embodiment 1.
Figure 6 shows an example of placement of an object to be dried R according to Embodiment
1.
Figure 7(a) is a conceptual view of detection data from the infrared sensor on the
object to be dried R before a drying operation according to Embodiment 1, and Figure
7(b) is a conceptual view of detection data from the infrared sensor on the object
to be dried R when a predetermined time has passed after the drying operation according
to Embodiment 1.
Figure 8 is a first half of a flowchart of an operation during a clothes drying operation
of the dehumidifier according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 9 is a latter half of the flowchart of the operation during the clothes drying
operation of the dehumidifier according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 10 shows an example of window determination in a normal operation.
Figure 11(a) shows an example of laundry detection through step S4 according to Embodiment
1, and Figure 11(b) shows an example of window determination through step S11.
Figure 12 is a first half of a flowchart of an operation during a clothes drying operation
of a dehumidifier according to Embodiment 2.
Figure 13 is a latter half of the flowchart of the operation during the clothes drying
operation of the dehumidifier according to Embodiment 2.
Figure 14 is a first half of a flowchart of an operation during a clothes drying operation
of a dehumidifier according to Embodiment 3.
Figure 15 is a latter half of the flowchart of the operation during the clothes drying
operation of the dehumidifier according to Embodiment 3.
Description of Embodiments
(Embodiment 1)
[0009] Now, with reference to Figures 1 to 11, Embodiment 1 will be described.
[0010] With reference to Figure 1, an outer shell of a dehumidifier J is constituted by
a self-supporting dehumidifier casing 100 (hereinafter, referred to as a casing 100).
[0011] The casing 100 includes an inlet 101 for taking in indoor air P, and an outlet 103
for discharging dry air Q from which moisture is removed from the casing 100 into
a room. The casing 100 includes therein a water storage tank 102 that stores moisture
removed from air taken into the inlet 101.
[0012] The inlet 101 opens in a back surface of the casing 100, and a filter for preventing
dust from entering the casing 100 is provided in the opening.
[0013] Air direction variable means 1 capable of varying an air direction of the dry air
Q is provided in the outlet 103. The air direction variable means 1 includes a longitudinal
louver 1a capable of varying a vertical air direction, and a lateral louver 1b capable
of varying a horizontal air direction. The air direction variable means 1 also includes
an infrared sensor 6 (surface temperature detection means) for measuring a surface
temperature of an object in a noncontact manner.
[0014] The water storage tank 102 is mounted removably from the casing 100.
[0015] Further, with reference to Figure 2, the dehumidifier J includes therein a blower
fan 2 that sucks the indoor air P from the inlet 101, and generates an airflow for
discharging the dry air Q from the outlet 103, a fan motor 2a that rotates the blower
fan 2, a temperature sensor 3 (air temperature detection means) that detects a temperature
of the indoor air P sucked from the inlet 101, a humidity sensor 4 (humidity detection
means) that detects a humidity of the indoor air P, dehumidification means 5 for removing
moisture contained in the indoor air P and generating the dry air Q, a longitudinally
variable motor 1c capable of vertically varying the longitudinal louver 1a, a laterally
variable motor 1d capable of horizontally varying the lateral louver 1b, an infrared
sensor 6 as surface temperature detection means, and a control circuit 7 as control
means for controlling the components.
[0016] The dehumidification means 5 is located in an air trunk from the inlet 101 to the
outlet 103, and removes and condenses moisture in air. An example of a system used
in the dehumidification means 5 includes a system in which a heat pump circuit is
configured to condense moisture in air using an evaporator, or a desiccant system
in which moisture in air removed by an absorbent is condensed using a heat exchanger.
[0017] The moisture removed from the indoor air P by the dehumidification means 5 is stored
as condensed water C in the water storage tank 102. The air from which the moisture
is removed is the dry air Q.
[0018] Next, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the longitudinal louver 1a that constitutes
the air direction variable means 1 has a rectangular opening extending widthwise of
the casing 100, and is vertically variable substantially around a rotary shaft of
the longitudinally variable motor 1c described above.
[0019] Thus, the longitudinal louver 1a is configured to be capable of varying an air direction
longitudinally (upward and downward).
[0020] The lateral louvers 1b are placed at regular intervals in the longitudinal louver
1a, and horizontally variably journaled on a back opposite to an opening of the longitudinal
louver 1a so as to be operated by driving the laterally variable motor 1d described
above.
[0021] Thus, the lateral louver 1b is configured to be capable of varying an air direction
laterally (leftward and rightward).
[0022] The infrared sensor 6 is mounted to one surface of the lateral louver 1b substantially
at a middle placed in the longitudinal louver 1 a.
[0023] Thus, a range of a surface temperature detected by the infrared sensor 6 is substantially
the same as the blowing direction of the dry air Q variable by the air direction variable
means 1. Specifically, the infrared sensor 6 can detect a surface temperature of a
region within a range to which the air direction variable means 1 can blow air.
[0024] The infrared sensor 6 uses, for example, an effect of a thermoelectromotive force,
and includes an infrared absorbing film 6a that receives heat (infrared) emitted from
a surface of a predetermined region, and a thermistor 6b that detects a temperature
of the infrared absorbing film 6a (see Figure 3).
[0025] The infrared sensor 6 converts a difference between a temperature (hot junction)
of a thermal portion of the infrared absorbing film 6a that absorbs emitted heat and
is thus increased in temperature and a temperature (cold junction) of the infrared
absorbing film 6a detected by the thermistor 6b into an electric signal such as a
voltage, and inputs the electric signal to a control circuit 7 described below. A
surface temperature of a predetermined region can be determined from a magnitude of
the electric signal.
[0026] In this embodiment, the infrared sensor 6 is used to identify a position of an object
to be dried R such as wet laundry and a position of a window as an object not to be
dried that is not an object to be dried from a difference in surface temperature between
detected objects.
[0027] Here, as shown in Figure 5, a region detectable by the infrared sensor 6 is a whole
scanning range 200. The whole scanning range 200 is a planar range expanding in a
lateral (horizontal) direction and a longitudinal (vertical) direction. In the description
below, this range is referred to as a detectable region A.
[0028] The infrared sensor 6 is controlled to detect a surface temperature of each of a
plurality of divided areas (each block) 201 in the horizontal direction and the vertical
direction in the whole scanning range 200. Thus, a detailed temperature map can be
made for a broad detectable region A.
[0029] Specifically, with reference to Figures 6 and 7, the control circuit 7 partitions
the detectable region A of the infrared sensor 6 into blocks that are squares each
having a predetermined size, determines a surface temperature of each block, and thus
determines a position of the object to be dried R, a degree of dryness, or the like.
[0030] For example, a filled part B in the detectable region A includes blocks at which
a temperature lower than other parts is detected. In the drawings, darker parts show
lower temperatures.
[0031] The control circuit 7 determines that laundry is located in the part at a low surface
temperature, and controls a direction of the air direction variable means 1 or a motion
of the fan motor so that dehumidification air is efficiently applied to the position
during a dehumidifying operation.
[0032] Moreover, the control circuit 7 stores results of position determination of the laundry
and position determination of the window performed in the past for each block (divided
area) as described later in detail.
[0033] Next, with reference to Figure 4, the control circuit 7 and various sensors and electronic
components connected to the control circuit 7 will be described.
[0034] The control circuit 7 controls an operation of the entire dehumidifier J by inputs
from various sensors or switches and predetermined algorithms, and includes an input
circuit 7a, an output circuit 7b, a CPU 7c, a storage portion 7d, and a timer portion
7e. The timer portion 7e is operation time measuring means for measuring an operation
time from a start of the operation.
[0035] Furthermore, the storage portion 7d stores the algorithms described above for controlling
the components of the dehumidifier J. The algorithms include an operation control
program for determining operation control based on inputs from various sensors or
switches, and an operation time determination program for determining a subsequent
operation time based on detection signals from the temperature sensor 3 and the humidity
sensor 4 and an output of the timer portion 7e.
[0036] The storage portion 7d further stores data on the position determination of the window
and the laundry performed during the past dehumidifying operation as described later
in detail.
[0037] To the control circuit 7 thus configured, an operation switch 8 for turning on/off
the operation of the dehumidifier J, the temperature sensor 3, the humidity sensor
4, and the infrared sensor 6 are connected through the input circuit 7a.
[0038] Further, to the control circuit 7, electric components such as a display portion
12 for indicating a state of the dehumidifier, the dehumidification device 5, the
fan motor 2a, the longitudinally variable motor 1c, and the laterally variable motor
1d are connected through the output circuit 7b.
[0039] When the control circuit 7 detects that a dehumidification mode is selected by an
operation of the operation switch 8 that constitutes an operation portion, the control
circuit 7 drives the air direction variable means 1 to allow air blowing from the
outlet 103, drives the fan motor 2a to rotate the blower fan 2, and drives the dehumidification
means 5 so as to provide an optimum humidity in the room.
[0040] Furthermore, the control circuit 7 drives the longitudinally variable motor 1c and
the laterally variable motor 1d of the air direction variable means 1 so as to blow
air toward a desired region in the room.
[0041] Thus, the indoor air P is taken from the inlet 101 into the dehumidifier casing 100,
the temperature sensor 3 and the humidity sensor 4 detect a temperature and a humidity
in the room, and then the dehumidification means 5 dehumidifies the indoor air P into
the dry air Q, which is blown out from the outlet 103 into the room.
[0042] Next, with reference to Figures 8 and 9, the operation during the clothes drying
operation of the dehumidifier J with the components configured as described above
will be described. Figures 8 and 9 are flowcharts of a series of operations, and Figure
8 shows a first half of the flowchart and Figure 9 shows a latter half of the flowchart.
[0043] In the description below, time measurement, humidity measurement, and temperature
measurement are performed by the timer portion 7e, the humidity sensor 4, the temperature
sensor 3, and the infrared sensor 6, respectively, described above, and various arithmetic
processing using measured values thereof and operations of the portions are performed
by the control circuit 7.
(Laundry detection)
[0044] First, when the clothes drying operation is started, the control circuit 7 starts
an initial sampling operation in step S1, and then the process moves to step S2.
[0045] The initial sampling operation is an operation in which the infrared sensor 6 detects
a surface temperature of each divided area (block) of the detectable region A, and
determines whether or not there is an object to be dried, that is, laundry of which
drying is facilitated by positively feeding dry air in each target block.
[0046] Next, in step S2, the control circuit 7 determines whether the number of times of
determination that there is laundry in a sampling target block during past clothes
drying operations is a prescribed number or more.
[0047] The storage portion 7d accumulates the number of times of determination that there
is laundry in each block during the past clothes drying operations and stores the
number as data, and the control circuit 7 determines whether or not the number is
the prescribed number or more based on the data.
[0048] In step S2, if the number of times of determination that there is laundry in the
sampling target block during the past clothes drying operations is less than the prescribed
number, the process moves to step S3 to set a determination temperature (first determination
temperature) to a normal value T1, and moves to step S5.
[0049] In step S2, if the number of times of determination that there is laundry in the
sampling target block during the past clothes drying operations is the prescribed
number or more, the process moves to step S4 to set the determination temperature
(first determination temperature) to a special value T2 smaller than T1, and moves
to step S5 (T1 > T2).
[0050] Next, in step S5, "ΔT = room temperature - measured value" for each block is calculated,
and compared with the determination temperature set in steps S3, S4 (determination
temperature ≤ ΔT?), and thus it is determined whether or not there is laundry in the
target block.
[0051] The room temperature is a temperature of indoor air measured by the temperature sensor
3. The measured value is a surface temperature of the target block measured by the
infrared sensor 6. ΔT is a difference obtained by subtracting the measured value from
the room temperature.
[0052] Here, since the laundry is wet, the surface temperature is lower than the room temperature.
In particular, drying starts with time, moisture contained in the laundry starts evaporating,
and heat of evaporation reduces the surface temperature of the laundry.
[0053] Specifically, there is a difference ΔT between the room temperature and the temperature
of the target block as the measured value of the infrared sensor 6, and with a larger
difference ΔT, it can be determined that there is more likely to be laundry in a position
of the target block.
[0054] Thus, in step S5, ΔT is compared with the determination temperature as a predetermined
threshold (determination temperature ≤ ΔT?) to determine whether or not there is laundry
in the target block.
[0055] If a large value is used as the determination temperature as a threshold for determination
of presence or absence of laundry, it is unlikely to be determined that there is laundry.
Specifically, only with a larger difference ΔT, it is determined that ΔT is larger
than the determination temperature.
[0056] On the other hand, if a small value is used as the determination temperature, it
is likely to be determined that there is laundry. Specifically, with a small determination
temperature, it is determined that the difference ΔT, which is even not very large,
is larger than the determination temperature.
[0057] Thus, for a block in which an accumulated number of times of determination that there
is laundry during the past operations is a predetermined number or more, it is likely
to be also determined that there is laundry during this operation. Thus, the determination
temperature is compared with the difference ΔT at a determination temperature T2 of
a special value smaller than the determination temperature T1 of a normal value.
[0058] Thus, for the block in which the accumulated number of times of determination that
there is laundry during the past operations is a predetermined number or more, it
is likely to be determined that there is laundry even with a small difference ΔT between
the room temperature and the temperature of the target block, and thus it can be determined
that there is laundry in an early stage of an initial sampling operation.
[0059] In particular, in an early stage of a start of drying, moisture contained in the
laundry starts evaporating with time, and heat of evaporation gradually reduces a
surface temperature of the laundry.
[0060] Thus, in the early stage of the start of drying, the difference ΔT between the room
temperature and the temperature of the block is small, but a small determination temperature
as the threshold allows determination that there is laundry in an early stage.
[0061] As described above, in step S5, when the laundry is detected in the target block,
the number of times of detection of the laundry in the block is additionally stored,
and the process moves to step S6.
[0062] In step S6, it is determined whether or not determination of presence or absence
of laundry in all blocks is finished. If the determination of presence or absence
of laundry is completed, the process moves to step S7. If the determination is not
completed, the process moves to step S2 to perform determination of an undetermined
block.
[0063] The initial sampling operation from steps S1 to S6 has been described, but in the
initial sampling operation, all the target blocks may be detected a predetermined
number of times or repeatedly detected during a predetermined time.
[0064] If all the target blocks are detected a predetermined number of times or repeatedly
detected during a predetermined time in the initial sampling operation, the determination
of presence or absence of laundry may be performed skipping the block for which it
has been determined that there is laundry. This can reduce the operation time.
[0065] Steps S1 to S6 constitute a control procedure for detecting a position of the laundry
from the difference between the room temperature and the detected temperature of each
block, but a portion at a surface temperature lower than the room temperature like
the laundry, for example, a window may be included in a position determined to be
laundry. The window is an object not to be dried that is not a target for drying.
[0066] Thus, a control process from steps S7 to S14 is performed to detect a block in which
the window is located to achieve a more efficient clothes drying operation.
[0067] With reference to Figure 9, in step S7, the control circuit 7 starts the clothes
drying operation based on the detection results of steps S1 to S6, and the process
moves to step 8.
[0068] In the clothes drying operation, a direction of the louver 1 is controlled so that
dehumidified dry air Q is blown from the outlet 103 toward the block for which it
has been determined that there is laundry. Specifically, the components are controlled
so that the dry air is blown to the block for which it has been determined that there
is laundry, and thus the dry air Q efficiently flows from the dehumidifier to the
position of the laundry.
[0069] Next, in step S8, with the clothes drying operation, a surface temperature of a site
located in the block to which the air is blown is measured, and it is determined whether
or not the temperature as the measured value is lower than a window determination
temperature Tw (second determination temperature) (measured value < Tw?).
[0070] When the measured value is lower than the window determination temperature Tw (window
low temperature determination), the process moves to step S9.
[0071] Here, when it is first determined that the measured value is lower than the window
determination temperature Tw, the determination activates the timer portion 7e to
start measurement of an elapsed time Bx after the determination. When such a determination
is performed second and thereafter, measurement is continued to accumulate the elapsed
time.
[0072] When the measured value of the surface temperature of the site located in the block
to which the air is blown is higher than the window determination temperature Tw,
the process moves to step S 14, and it is determined whether or not the clothes drying
operation is finished. If finished, the clothes drying operation is stopped, and if
not finished, the process moves to step S7 to perform window determination for a block
to which air is next blown.
[0073] In step S8, when the surface temperature of the block is higher than the window determination
temperature Tw, measurement of the elapsed time Bx is stopped to reset data on the
elapsed time Bx.
[0074] Next, in step S9, if the number of times of determination that there is a window
in the target block during the past clothes drying operations is less than a prescribed
number, the process moves to step S10 to set the window determination time to a normal
value B1, and the process moves to step S12.
[0075] In step S9, if the number of times of determination that there is a window in the
target block during the past clothes drying operations is the prescribed number or
more, the process moves to step S11 to set the window determination time to a special
value B2 shorter than the normal value B1, and the process moves to step S12 (B1 >
B2).
[0076] Next, in step S12, the window determination times B1, B2 set in steps S10 and S 11
are compared with the elapsed time Bx from the window low temperature determination.
Specifically, it is determined whether or not the surface temperature of the site
located in the target block is the window determination temperature or less continuously
for a predetermined time or more.
[0077] Here, the surface temperature of the laundry increases as drying proceeds, while
the surface temperature of the window does not increase as the clothes drying operation
process. Thus, when the surface temperature is the window determination temperature
or less (low temperature state) even if the window determination time B or more passes,
it is determined that there is a window in the block.
[0078] If the time at the window determination temperature or less (elapsed time Bx) is
less than the window determination time B (B1 or B2), the process moves to step S14
to determine whether or not the clothes drying operation is finished. If finished,
the clothes drying operation is stopped, and if not finished, the process moves to
step S7 to perform window determination for a block to which air is blown next.
[0079] If the time at the window determination temperature or less (elapsed time Bx) is
the window determination time B (B1 or B2) or more, the process moves to step S 13.
In step S 13, the window is detected in the target block, and the number of times
of window detection in the block is additionally stored, and the process moves to
step S 14.
[0080] In step S 14, it is determined whether or not the clothes drying operation is finished.
If finished, the clothes drying operation is stopped, and if not finished, the process
moves to step S7 to perform window determination for a block to which air is blown
next.
[0081] The clothes drying operation being performed is controlled so that dry air is not
positively fed to the block for which it has been determined that there is a window
as described above, but dry air is mainly fed to a block for which it has been determined
that there is laundry.
[0082] As described above, as the feature of steps S7 to S13, for the block for which it
has been determined that there is a window a predetermined number of times from the
results of the past clothes drying operations, it is likely to be also determined
that there is a window during this operation. Thus, for such a block, the determination
time B2 of the special value shorter than the determination time B1 of the normal
value is used and compared with the elapsed time Bx.
[0083] This allows earlier estimation of the defeminized position of the window mixed in
the laundry. Thus, during the subsequent clothes drying operation, dry air is not
positively fed toward the block for which it has been determined that there is a window,
but dry air is mainly fed to the block for which it has been determined that there
is laundry, thereby allowing a more efficient clothes drying operation.
[0084] Here, with reference to Figures 10 and 11, the determination of presence and absence
of the window and the laundry will be described. Figures 10 and 11 assume a case where
the laundry does not dry after 360 minutes, but the temperature is higher than an
initial temperature. In the example in Figures 10 and 11, in the detectable region
A constituted by blocks 1 to 25, blocks 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18 are positions of the
laundry, and blocks 2, 3, 22, 23, 24 are positions of the window.
(Case of normal operation)
[0085] Figure 10 shows an example of window determination during a normal operation. The
window determination during the normal operation is a window determination operation
without the window determination in the past operation.
[0086] State 1: In the initial operation, since the laundry (blocks 9, 12, 3, 14, 17, 18)
is not distinguished from the window (blocks 2, 3, 22, 23, 24), air is also blown
to the window.
[0087] State 2: After 240 minutes, since the laundry (blocks 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18) has
not yet been distinguished from the window (blocks 2, 3, 22, 23, 24), air is also
blown to the window.
[0088] State 3: After 360 minutes, the laundry can be distinguished from the window from
a temperature difference therebetween, and air is blown to only the laundry (blocks
9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18). The blocks having been determined to be the window (blocks
2, 3, 22, 23, 24) are stored.
(Case of laundry detection through step S4)
[0089] Figure 11 (a) shows an example of laundry detection through step S4.
[0090] State 1: An example of a case is shown where the normal value T1 is used as the determination
temperature through step S3 for all blocks. In this case, laundry (blocks 13, 14)
that should be originally detected is not detected.
[0091] State 2: An example of a case is shown where the special value T2 is used as the
determination temperature through step S4 for all blocks. In this case, the window
(blocks 2, 3, 22, 23, 24) is also detected and cannot be distinguished from the laundry.
[0092] State 3: An example of a case is shown where the results of determination of presence
or absence of laundry performed during the past operations are used to store blocks
(for example, blocks 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18) that are likely to be laundry, and for
the stored blocks, the normal value T2 is used as the determination temperature through
step S4, and for the other blocks, the normal value T1 is used as the determination
temperature through step S3. In this case, the laundry (blocks 9, 12, 13, 14, 17,
18) is detection with high accuracy.
[0093] As such, when the blocks (for example, the blocks 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18) that are
likely to be laundry are stored in the determination of presence or absence of laundry
performed during the past operations, a special value is used as the determination
value for the blocks (step S4). Thus, it is likely to be determined that there is
laundry in the block to be determined.
[0094] This allows control to efficiently blow air to the laundry in an early stage.
(Example of window determination through step S11)
[0095] Figure 11 (b) shows an example in which the special value is used as the window determination
time of the blocks 2, 3, 22, 23, 24 for which the window determination has been performed
a prescribed number of times or more in the past (step S11).
[0096] State 1: In the initial operation, the laundry (blocks 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18) is
not distinguished from the window (blocks 2, 3, 22, 23, 24).
[0097] State 2: After 240 minutes, the laundry can be distinguished from the window from
a temperature difference therebetween, and only the laundry (blocks 9, 12, 13, 14,
17, 18) is accurately detected.
[0098] As such, for the blocks for which the window determination is performed a prescribed
number of times or more in the past, the window determination time is determined using
the special value shorter than the normal value (S11). Thus, for example, after 240
minutes earlier than the window determination (360 minutes) in the normal operation,
the blocks (blocks 2, 3, 22, 23, 24) for which the window determination is likely
to be performed are determined to be the window, and thus thereafter, air is mainly
blown to the laundry. Specifically, air can be controlled to be efficiently blown
to the laundry in an early stage.
(Embodiment 2)
[0099] With reference to Figures 12 and 13, Embodiment 2 will be described below. Figures
12 and 13 are flowcharts showing a series of operations, and Figure 12 shows a first
half of the flowchart, and Figure 13 shows a latter half of the flowchart.
[0100] A configuration of hardware in this embodiment is the same as that of the dehumidifier
J in Embodiment 1, and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted.
(Laundry detection)
[0101] First, when the clothes drying operation is started, the control circuit 7 starts
an initial sampling operation in step S21, and then the process moves to step S22.
[0102] The initial sampling operation is an operation in which the infrared sensor 6 detects
a surface temperature of each divided area (block) of the detectable region A, and
determines whether or not there is laundry in a target block.
[0103] Next, in step S22, the control circuit 7 determines whether the number of times of
determination that there is laundry in a sampling target block during past clothes
drying operations is a prescribed number or more.
[0104] The storage portion 7d accumulates the number of times of determination that there
is laundry in each block during the past clothes drying operations and stores the
number as data, and the control circuit 7 determines whether or not the number is
the prescribed number or more based on the data.
[0105] In step S22, if the number of times of past determination that there is laundry is
less than the prescribed number, the process moves to step S23 to set a determination
temperature (first determination temperature) to a normal value T1, and moves to step
S5.
[0106] In step S22, if the number of times of past determination that there is laundry is
the prescribed number or more, the process moves to step S24 to set the determination
temperature (first determination temperature) to a special value T2 smaller than T1,
and moves to step S25 (T1 > T2).
[0107] Next, in step S25, "ΔT = room temperature - measured value" for each block is calculated,
and compared with the determination temperature set in steps S23, S24 (determination
temperature ≤ ΔT?), and thus it is determined whether or not there is laundry in the
target block.
[0108] The room temperature is a temperature of indoor air measured by the temperature sensor
3. The measured value is a surface temperature of the target block measured by the
infrared sensor 6. ΔT is a difference obtained by subtracting the measured value from
the room temperature.
[0109] Here, since the laundry is wet, the surface temperature is lower than the room temperature.
In particular, drying starts with time, moisture contained in the laundry starts evaporating,
and heat of evaporation reduces the surface temperature of the laundry.
[0110] Specifically, there is a difference ΔT between the room temperature and the temperature
of the target block as the measured value of the infrared sensor 6, and with a larger
difference ΔT, it can be determined that there is more likely to be laundry in a position
of the target block.
[0111] Thus, in step S25, ΔT is compared with the determination temperature as a predetermined
threshold (determination temperature ≤ ΔT?) to determine whether or not there is laundry
in the target block.
[0112] If a large value is used as the determination temperature as a threshold for determination
of presence or absence of laundry, it is unlikely to be determined that there is laundry.
Specifically, only with a larger difference ΔT, it is determined that ΔT is larger
than the determination temperature.
[0113] On the other hand, if a small value is used as the determination temperature, it
is likely to be determined that there is laundry. Specifically, with a small determination
temperature, it is determined that the difference ΔT, which is even not very large,
is larger than the determination temperature.
[0114] Thus, for a block in which an accumulated number of times of determination that there
is laundry during the past operations is a predetermined number or more, it is likely
to be also determined that there is laundry during this operation. Thus, the determination
temperature is compared with the difference ΔT at a determination temperature T2 of
a special value smaller than the determination temperature T1 of a normal value.
[0115] Thus, for the block in which the accumulated number of times of determination that
there is laundry during the past operations is a predetermined number or more, it
is likely to be determined that there is laundry even with a small difference ΔT between
the room temperature and the temperature of the target block, and thus it can be determined
that there is laundry in an early stage of an initial sampling operation.
[0116] In particular, in an early stage of a start of drying, moisture contained in the
laundry starts evaporating with time, and heat of evaporation gradually reduces a
surface temperature of the laundry.
[0117] Thus, in the early stage of the start of drying, the difference ΔT between the room
temperature and the temperature of the block is small, but a small determination temperature
as the threshold allows determination that there is laundry in an early stage.
[0118] As described above, in step S25, when the laundry is detected in the target block,
the number of times of detection of the laundry in the block is additionally stored,
and the process moves to step S26.
[0119] In step S26, it is determined whether or not determination of presence or absence
of laundry in all blocks is finished. If the determination of presence or absence
of laundry is completed, the process moves to step S27. If the determination is not
completed, the process moves to step S22 to perform determination of an undetermined
block.
[0120] The initial sampling operation from steps S21 to S26 has been described, but in the
initial sampling operation, all the target blocks may be detected a predetermined
number of times or repeatedly detected during a predetermined time.
[0121] If all the blocks are detected a predetermined number of times or repeatedly detected
during a predetermined time in the initial sampling operation, the determination of
presence or absence of laundry may be performed skipping the block for which it has
been determined that there is laundry. This can reduce the operation time.
[0122] Steps S21 to S26 constitute a control procedure for detecting a position of the
laundry from the difference between the room temperature and the detected temperature
of each block, but a portion at a surface temperature lower than the room temperature
like the laundry, for example, a window may be included in a position determined to
be laundry.
[0123] Thus, a control process from steps S27 to S39 is performed to detect a block in which
the window is located to achieve a more efficient clothes drying operation.
[0124] In step S27, it is determined whether or not the laundry is located in a predetermined
percentage (for example, 90%) or more of all the blocks for which it has been determined
that there is a window during the previous clothes drying operation.
[0125] When the laundry is located in the predetermined percentage or more of the blocks,
the process moves to step S28, it is assumed that this clothes drying operation is
performed in the same environment as that of the previous operation, and the process
moves to step S30.
[0126] When the laundry is located in less than the predetermined percentage of the blocks,
the process moves to step S29, it is assumed that this clothes drying operation is
performed in an environment different from that of the previous operation, and the
process moves to step S30.
[0127] The environment herein refers to an environment where the dehumidifier J is used.
As an example of use in the same environment, a case is assumed where clothes are
arranged in a manner similar to that in the previous operation in substantially the
same direction in the same room as in the previous operation.
[0128] On the other hand, as a different environment, a case is assumed where the dehumidifier
J is used in a room different from that in the previous operation, or clothes are
arranged in a manner different from that in the previous operation.
[0129] Next, with reference to Figure 13, in step S30, the control circuit 7 starts the
clothes drying operation based on the detection results from steps S21 to S26, and
the process moves to step S31.
[0130] Subsequently, in step S31, with the clothes drying operation, a surface temperature
of a site located in the block to which the air is blown is measured, and it is determined
whether or not the temperature as the measured value is lower than a window determination
temperature Tw (second determination temperature) (measured value < Tw?).
[0131] When the measured value is lower than the window determination temperature Tw (window
low temperature determination), the process moves to step S32.
[0132] Here, when it is first determined that the measured value is lower than the window
determination temperature Tw, the determination activates the timer portion 7e to
start measurement of an elapsed time Bx after the determination. When such a determination
is performed second and thereafter, measurement is continued to accumulate the elapsed
time.
[0133] When the measured value of the surface temperature of the site located in the block
to which the air is blown is higher than the window determination temperature Tw,
the process moves to step S39, and it is determined whether or not the clothes drying
operation is finished. If finished, the clothes drying operation is stopped, and if
not finished, the process moves to step S30 to perform window determination for a
block to which air is next blown.
[0134] In step S31, when the surface temperature of the block is higher than the window
determination temperature Tw, measurement of the elapsed time Bx is stopped to reset
data on the elapsed time Bx.
[0135] Next, in step S32, based on the determination in steps S27 to S29, it is determined
whether the situation where this clothes drying operation is performed is the same
environment as in the past (previous) operation.
[0136] If the situation is not the same environment as in the past operation, the process
moves to step S33, the window determination time is set to the normal value B1, and
the process moves to step S37.
[0137] If the situation is the same environment as in the past operation, the process moves
to step S34. In step S34, if the number of times of determination that there is a
window in the target block during the past clothes drying operations is less than
the prescribed number, the process moves to step S35 to set the window determination
time to the normal value B1, and the process moves to step S37.
[0138] In step S34, if the number of times of determination that there is a window in the
target block during the past clothes drying operations is the prescribed number or
more, the process moves to step S36 to set the window determination time to a special
value B2 shorter than the normal value B1, and the process moves to step S37 (B1 >
B2).
[0139] Next, in step S37, the window determination times B1, B2 set in steps S33, S35 and
S36 are compared with the elapsed time Bx from the window low temperature determination.
Specifically, it is determined whether or not the surface temperature of the site
located in the target block is the window determination temperature or less continuously
for a predetermined time or more.
[0140] Here, the surface temperature of the laundry increases as drying proceeds, while
the surface temperature of the window does not increase as the clothes drying operation
proceeds. Thus, when the surface temperature is the window determination temperature
or less (low temperature state) even if the window determination time B or more passes,
it is determined that there is a window in the block.
[0141] If the time at the window determination temperature or less (elapsed time Bx) is
less than the window determination time B (B1 or B2), the process moves to step S39
to determine whether or not the clothes drying operation is finished. If finished,
the clothes drying operation is stopped, and if not finished, the process moves to
step S30 to perform window determination for a block to which air is blown next.
[0142] If the time at the window determination temperature or less (elapsed time Bx) is
the window determination time B (B1 or B2) or more, the process moves to step S38.
In step S38, the window is detected in the target block, and the number of times of
window detection in the block is additionally stored, and the process moves to step
S39.
[0143] In step S39, it is determined whether or not the clothes drying operation is finished.
If finished, the clothes drying operation is stopped, and if not finished, the process
moves to step S30 to perform window determination for a block to which air is blown
next.
[0144] The clothes drying operation being performed is controlled so that dry air is not
positively fed to the block for which it has been determined that there is a window
as described above, but dry air is mainly fed to a block for which it has been determined
that there is laundry.
[0145] As described above, in this embodiment, in order to determine whether or not the
environment is the same as the stored environment, it is checked whether 90% or more
of the blocks determined to be in a position of the window in the window determination
performed during the previous operation are target blocks of the laundry.
[0146] When it is determined that 90% or more of the blocks are the target blocks of the
laundry, the environment is highly likely to be the same as the stored environment,
and window determination is performed using the special value for the blocks for which
the window determination has been performed in the past.
[0147] This can reduce the determination time, and allows an efficient clothes drying operation.
(Embodiment 3)
[0148] Now, with reference to Figures 14 and 15, Embodiment 3 will be described. Figures
14 and 15 are flowcharts showing a series of operations, and Figure 14 shows a first
half of the flowchart, and Figure 15 shows a latter half of the flowchart.
[0149] A configuration of hardware in this embodiment is the same as that of the dehumidifier
J in Embodiment 1, and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted.
(Laundry detection)
[0150] First, when the clothes drying operation is started, the control circuit 7 starts
an initial sampling operation in step S41, and then the process moves to step S42.
[0151] The initial sampling operation is an operation in which the infrared sensor 6 detects
a surface temperature of each divided area (block) of the detectable region A, and
it is determined whether or not there is laundry in a target block.
[0152] Next, in step S42, the control circuit 7 determines whether the number of times of
determination that there is laundry in a sampling target block during past clothes
drying operations is a predetermined number or more.
[0153] The storage portion 7d accumulates the number of times of determination that there
is laundry in each block during the past clothes drying operations and stores the
number as data, and the control circuit 7 determines that the number is the prescribed
number or more based on the data.
[0154] In step S42, if the number of times of determination that there is laundry in the
sampling target block during the past clothes drying operations is less than the prescribed
number, the process moves to step S43 to set a determination temperature to a normal
value T1, and the process moves to step S45.
[0155] In step S42, if the number of times of determination that there is laundry in the
sampling target block during the past clothes drying operations is the prescribed
number or more, the process moves to step S44 to set the determination temperature
to a special value T2 smaller than the normal value T1, and moves to step S45 (T1
> T2).
[0156] Next, in step S45, "ΔT=room temperature - measured value" for each block is calculated,
and compared with the determination temperature set in steps S43, S44 (determination
temperature ≤ ΔT?), and thus it is determined whether or not there is laundry in the
target block.
[0157] The room temperature is a temperature of indoor air measured by the temperature sensor
3. The measured value is a surface temperature of a target block measured by the infrared
sensor 6. ΔT is a difference obtained by subtracting the measured value from the room
temperature.
[0158] Here, since the laundry is wet, the surface temperature is lower than the room temperature.
In particular, drying starts with time, moisture contained in the laundry starts evaporating,
and heat of evaporation reduces the surface temperature of the laundry.
[0159] Specifically, there is a difference ΔT between the room temperature and the temperature
of the target block as the measured value of the infrared sensor 6, and with a larger
difference ΔT, it can be determined that there is more likely to be laundry in a position
of the target block.
[0160] Thus, in step S45, ΔT is compared with the determination temperature as a predetermined
threshold (determination temperature ≤ ΔT?) to determine whether or not there is laundry
in the target block.
[0161] If a large value is used as the determination temperature as a threshold for determination
of presence or absence of laundry, it is unlikely to be determined that there is laundry.
Specifically, only with a larger difference ΔT, it is determined that ΔT is larger
than determination temperature.
[0162] On the other hand, if a small value is used as the determination temperature, it
is likely to be determined that there is laundry. Specifically, with a small determination
temperature, it is determined that the difference ΔT, which is even not very large,
is larger than the determination temperature.
[0163] Thus, for a block in which an accumulated number of times of determination that there
is laundry during the past operations is a predetermined number or more, it is likely
to be also determined that there is laundry during this operation. Thus, the determination
temperature is compared with the difference ΔT at a determination temperature T2 of
a special value smaller than the determination temperature T1 of a normal value.
[0164] Thus, for the block in which the accumulated number of times of determination that
there is laundry during the past operations is a predetermined number or more, it
is likely to be determined that there is laundry even with a small difference ΔT between
the room temperature and the temperature of the target block, and thus it can be determined
that there is laundry in an early stage of an initial sampling operation.
[0165] In particular, in an early stage of a start of drying, moisture contained in the
laundry starts evaporating with time, and heat of evaporation gradually reduces a
surface temperature of the laundry.
[0166] Thus, in the early stage of the start of drying, the difference ΔT between the room
temperature and the temperature of the block is small, but a small determination temperature
as the threshold allows determination that there is laundry in an early stage.
[0167] As described above, in step S45, when the laundry is detected in the target block,
the number of times of detection of the laundry in the block is additionally stored,
and the process moves to step S46.
[0168] In step S46, it is determined whether or not determination of presence or absence
of laundry in all blocks is finished. If the determination of presence or absence
of laundry is completed, the process moves to step S47. If the determination is not
completed, the process moves to step S42 to perform determination of an undetermined
block.
[0169] The initial sampling operation from steps S41 to S46 has been described, but in the
initial sampling operation, all the target blocks may be detected a predetermined
number of times or repeatedly detected during a predetermined time.
[0170] If all the blocks are detected a predetermined number of times or repeatedly detected
during a predetermined time in the initial sampling operation, the determination of
presence or absence of laundry may be performed skipping the block for which it has
been determined that there is laundry. This can reduce the operation time.
[0171] Steps S41 to S46 constitute a control procedure for detecting a position of the laundry
from the difference between the room temperature and the detected temperature of each
block, but a portion at a surface temperature lower than the room temperature like
the laundry, for example, a window may be included in a position determined to be
laundry.
[0172] Thus, a control process from steps S47 to S63 is performed to detect a block in which
the window is located to achieve a more efficient clothes drying operation.
[0173] Steps S47 to S63 are steps for comparing various environmental patterns (for example,
pattern 1: lavatory, pattern 2: living room, pattern 3: bathroom, or the like) stored
in the past clothes drying operations with an environment of this clothes drying operation
to reduce time for window determination.
[0174] The control means can detect the environmental patterns by the storage means storing
arrangement of the blocks for which it has been determined that there is a window
in the past operations.
[0175] Step S47 is a step for comparing an environmental pattern 1 stored in the past clothes
drying operation with the environment of this clothes drying operation.
[0176] Here, for the environment of this clothes drying operation, it is determined whether
the laundry is located in a predetermined percentage (for example, 90%) or more of
all the blocks for which it has been determined that there is a window in the environmental
pattern 1.
[0177] When the laundry is located in the predetermined percentage or more of the blocks,
the process moves to step S48, it is assumed that this clothes drying operation is
performed in the same environment as that of the environmental pattern 1, and the
process moves to step S54. When the laundry is located in less than the predetermined
percentage of the blocks, the process moves to step S49.
[0178] Step S49 is a step for comparing an environmental pattern 2 stored in the past clothes
drying operation with the environment of this clothes drying operation.
[0179] Here, for the environment of this clothes drying operation, it is determined whether
the laundry is located in a predetermined percentage (for example, 90%) or more of
all the blocks for which it has been determined that there is a window in the environmental
pattern 2.
[0180] When the laundry is located in the predetermined percentage or more of the blocks,
the process moves to step S50, it is assumed that this clothes drying operation is
performed in the same environment as that of the environmental pattern 2, and the
process moves to step S54. When the laundry is located in less than the predetermined
percentage of the blocks, the process moves to step S51.
[0181] Step S51 is a step for comparing an environmental pattern 3 stored in the past clothes
drying operation with the environment of this clothes drying operation.
[0182] Here, for the environment of this clothes drying operation, it is determined whether
the laundry is located in a predetermined percentage (for example, 90%) or more of
all the blocks for which it has been determined that there is a window in the environmental
pattern 3.
[0183] When the laundry is located in the predetermined percentage or more of the blocks,
the process moves to step S52, it is assumed that this clothes drying operation is
performed in the same environment as that of the environmental pattern 3, and the
process moves to step S54. When the laundry is located in less than the predetermined
percentage of the blocks, the process moves to step S53.
[0184] When the process moves to step S53, it is assumed that the stored environmental pattern
performed in the past does not match the environment of this clothes drying operation,
and clothes drying is performed in a new environment, and the process moves to step
S54.
[0185] Next, with reference to Figure 15, in step S54, the control circuit 7 starts the
clothes drying operation based on the detection results from steps S41 to S46, and
the process moves to step S55.
[0186] Subsequently, in step S55, with the clothes drying operation, a surface temperature
of a site located in the block to which the air is blown is measured, and it is determined
whether or not a temperature as the measured value is lower than a window determination
temperature Tw (measured value < Tw?).
[0187] First, when the measured value is lower than the window determination temperature
Tw (window low temperature determination), the process moves to step S56. Here, when
it is first determined that the measured value is lower than the window determination
temperature Tw, the determination activates the timer portion 7e to start measurement
of an elapsed time Bx after the determination. When such a determination is performed
second and thereafter, measurement is continued to accumulate the elapsed time.
[0188] When the measured value of the surface temperature of the site located in the block
to which the air is blown is higher than the window determination temperature Tw,
the process moves to step S63, and it is determined whether or not the clothes drying
operation is finished. If finished, the clothes drying operation is stopped, and if
not finished, the process moves to step S54 to perform window determination for a
block to which air is next blown.
[0189] In step S55, when the surface temperature of the block is higher than the window
determination temperature Tw, measurement of the elapsed time Bx is stopped to reset
data on the elapsed time Bx.
[0190] Next, in step S56, based on steps S47 to S53, it is determined whether or not the
situation where this clothes drying operation is performed is the same environment
as in the past (previous) operation.
[0191] If the situation is not in the same environment as in the past operation, the process
moves to step S57, the window determination time is set to the normal value B1, and
the process moves to step S61.
[0192] If the situation is the same environment as in the past operation, the process moves
to step S58. In step S58, if the number of times of determination that there is a
window in the target block during the past clothes drying operations is less than
the prescribed number, the process moves to step S59 to set the window determination
time to the normal value B1, and the process moves to step S61.
[0193] In step S58, if the number of times of determination that there is a window in the
target block during the past clothes drying operations is the prescribed number or
more, the process moves to step S60 to set the window determination time to a special
value B2 shorter than the normal value B1, and the process moves to step S61 (B1 >
B2).
[0194] Next, in step S61, the window determination times B1, B2 set in steps S57, S59 and
S60 are compared with the elapsed time Bx from the window low temperature determination.
Specifically, it is determined whether or not the surface temperature of the site
located in the target block is the window determination temperature or less continuously
for a predetermined time or more.
[0195] Here, the surface temperature of the laundry increases as drying proceeds, while
the surface temperature of the window does not increase (does not change) as the clothes
drying operation proceeds. Thus, when the surface temperature is the window determination
temperature or less (low temperature state) even if the window determination time
B or more passes, it is determined that there is a window in the block.
[0196] If the time at the window determination temperature or less (elapsed time Bx) is
less than the window determination time B (B1 or B2), the process moves to step S63
to determine whether or not the clothes drying operation is finished. If finished,
the clothes drying operation is stopped, and if not finished, the process moves to
step S54 to perform window determination for a block to which air is blown next.
[0197] If the time at the window determination temperature or less (elapsed time Bx) is
the window determination time B (B1 or B2) or more, the process moves to step S62.
In step S62, the window is detected in the target block, and the number of times of
window detection in the block is additionally stored, and the process moves to step
S63.
[0198] In step S63, it is determined whether or not the clothes drying operation is finished.
If finished, the clothes drying operation is stopped, and if not finished, the process
moves to step S54 to perform window determination for a block to which air is blown
next.
[0199] The clothes drying operation being performed is controlled so that dry air is not
positively fed to the block for which it has been determined that there is a window
as described above, but dry air is mainly fed to a block for which it has been determined
that there is laundry.
[0200] As described above, in this embodiment, in order to determine whether or not the
environment is the same as the stored environment, it is checked whether 90% or more
of the blocks for which it has been determined to be a position of the window in the
window determination performed during the previous operation are target blocks of
the laundry.
[0201] When it is determined that 90% or more of the blocks are the target blocks of the
laundry, it is determined that the environment is highly likely to be the same as
the stored environment, and window determination is performed using the special value
for the blocks for which the window determination has been performed in the past.
[0202] This can reduce the determination time of the position of the window, and allows
an efficient clothes drying operation.
[0203] In particular, a plurality of window position determinations performed during the
past clothes drying operations are stored for comparison with the environment of this
clothes drying operation, and this clothes drying operation is compared therewith,
thereby further reducing the determination time.
Reference Signs List
[0204]
- 1
- air direction variable means
- 1a
- longitudinal louver
- 1b
- lateral louver
- 1c
- longitudinally variable motor
- 1d
- laterally variable motor
- 2
- blower fan
- 2a
- fan motor
- 3
- temperature sensor
- 4
- humidity sensor
- 5
- dehumidification device
- 6
- infrared sensor
- 6a
- infrared absorbing film
- 6b
- thermistor
- 7
- microcomputer
- 7a
- input circuit
- 7b
- output circuit
- 7c
- CPU
- 7d
- storage portion
- 7e
- timer portion
- 8
- operation switch
- 12
- display portion
- 100
- dehumidifier casing
- 101
- inlet
- 102
- water storage tank
- 103
- outlet
- 200
- whole scanning range
- 201
- divided area
- P
- indoor air
- Q
- dry air