JP5419938B2 - Clothes dryer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a clothes dryer provided with a sensor for detecting opening and closing of a door.

  Conventionally, as this type of clothes dryer, a magnetic sensor is provided in a main body case provided with a rotating drum, a magnet is attached to the door so as to face the magnetic sensor, and the opening / closing of the door is detected by ON / OFF of the output of the magnetic sensor. Thus, it has been known that when a predetermined time elapses after the output of the magnetic sensor is turned on, the door is completely closed and a drying operation is executed (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-182897

  By the way, in the said clothes dryer, even if the magnetic sensor failed, it was not possible to know it. For example, if the magnetic sensor is in an ON failure, it cannot be detected that the door is open because the output of the magnetic sensor is ON even if the door is open. For this reason, there is a risk that the drying operation is executed even when the door is open, and the rotation of the rotating drum is not stopped. Further, when the magnetic sensor is in an OFF failure, it cannot be detected that the door is closed because the output of the magnetic sensor is OFF even when the door is closed. Therefore, even if the door is closed and the operation switch is turned on, there is a problem that the drying operation is not executed.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, and it aims at providing the clothes dryer which can self-diagnose the failure of the sensor for detecting opening and closing of a door.

A clothes dryer according to the present invention comprises:
A main body case having a rotating drum for storing objects to be dried, such as clothes, and a left and right end of the front surface of the main body case are pivotally attached to open and close the outlet for the objects to be dried provided on the front surface of the main body case. The door opens and closes, the output is turned on when the door is closed, the output is turned off when the door is opened, and the open / closed state of the door is recognized by ON / OFF of the sensor output. A control unit that executes a drying operation if the output of the sensor is detected when the operation switch is ON,
The sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor arranged side by side on the front of the main body case. The first sensor is disposed closer to the door mounting position than the center of the front of the main body case. 2 sensors are arranged on the side farther from the door mounting position than the center of the front of the body case,
When the operation switch is OFF, the control unit is in a state of detecting output ON from the first sensor and the second sensor, and when the door is opened from the closed state,
(A) When the output OFF of the second sensor is detected and then the output OFF of the first sensor is detected within a certain time, it is determined that both the first sensor and the second sensor have no ON failure,
(B) If the first sensor output OFF is not detected even after the predetermined time has elapsed after detecting the output OFF of the second sensor, it is determined that the first sensor has an ON failure,
(C) When detecting output OFF of the first sensor without detecting output OFF of the second sensor, a control configuration is provided to determine that the second sensor is ON-failed.

  With the above configuration, when opening a door that is opened and closed in a side-opening manner, first, the vicinity of the free end of the door is separated from the front surface of the main body case, and then the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door is separated from the front surface of the main body case. The first sensor and the second sensor are arranged side by side in front of the main body case, the first sensor is disposed near the rotation support end of the door, and the second sensor is disposed near the free end of the door. . Accordingly, when the door is opened, the output of the second sensor is turned off first, and then the output of the first sensor is turned off in accordance with the movement of the door.

  If OFF of the output of the first sensor and the second sensor is detected sequentially within a certain time in this order, the first sensor and the second sensor are normal according to the movement of the door when the door is opened. In this case, it can be determined that both the first sensor and the second sensor have no ON failure (normal output ON state).

  On the other hand, if the OFF of the output of the first sensor is not detected even after the predetermined time has elapsed after the detection of the OFF of the output of the second sensor, the vicinity of the free end of the door moves away from the front of the main body case, and then the door It can be determined that the OFF of the output of the first sensor is not detected even though the vicinity of the rotation support end is away from the front surface of the main body case, and therefore it can be determined that the first sensor is in an ON failure. .

  Further, when the output of the first sensor is detected without detecting the OFF of the output of the second sensor, the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door is separated from the front of the main body case by the detection of the output of the first sensor. Since it can be judged, the vicinity of the free end of the door has already been separated from the front of the main body case by that time. Accordingly, in this case, it can be determined that the OFF of the output of the second sensor is not detected even though the vicinity of the free end of the door is away from the front of the main body case, and therefore, the second sensor is in an ON failure. Judgment can be made.

  Then, before the operation switch is turned on, an operation of opening the door is performed in order to store the object to be dried such as clothes in the rotating drum. When the drying operation is completed, an operation of opening the door to take out the dried object to be dried from the rotating drum is performed. The operation switch is automatically turned off when the drying operation is completed. As described above, when an operation of opening the door is performed while the operation switch is OFF, at that time, it is possible to self-diagnose whether the first sensor and the second sensor are ON or not, and the sensor has an ON failure. If there is, it is possible to specify which side of the first sensor or the second sensor has an ON failure. Therefore, if there is an ON failure of the first sensor or the second sensor, it is possible to take measures such as repairing it, and the rotation operation of the rotating drum is not stopped because the drying operation is executed even though the door is open. The situation can be prevented.

Moreover, the clothes dryer which concerns on this invention is
A main body case having a rotating drum for storing objects to be dried, such as clothes, and a left and right end of the front surface of the main body case are pivotally attached to open and close the outlet for the objects to be dried provided on the front surface of the main body case. The door opens and closes, the output is turned on when the door is closed, the output is turned off when the door is opened, and the open / closed state of the door is recognized by ON / OFF of the sensor output. A control unit that executes a drying operation if the output of the sensor is detected when the operation switch is ON,
The sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor arranged side by side on the front of the main body case. The first sensor is disposed closer to the door mounting position than the center of the front of the main body case. 2 sensors are arranged on the side farther from the door mounting position than the center of the front of the body case,
When the operation switch is OFF, the control unit is in the state of detecting the output OFF of the first sensor and the second sensor, and the door is closed from the open state,
(D) When the output ON of the first sensor is detected, and then the output ON of the second sensor is detected within a certain time, it is determined that there is no OFF failure in both the first sensor and the second sensor;
(E) If the output of the second sensor is not detected even after the predetermined time has elapsed after the output of the first sensor is detected, it is determined that the second sensor has an OFF failure;
(F) When detecting the output ON of the second sensor without detecting the output ON of the first sensor, a control configuration is provided that determines that the first sensor is in an OFF failure.

  With the above configuration, when closing a door that is opened and closed in a side-opening manner, first, the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door is close to the front of the main body case, and then the vicinity of the free end of the door is close to the front of the main body case. The first sensor is disposed near the rotation support end of the door, and the second sensor is disposed near the free end of the door. Therefore, when closing the door, the output of the first sensor is turned on first, and then the output of the second sensor is turned on in accordance with the movement of the door.

  If ON of the outputs of the first sensor and the second sensor is sequentially detected within a certain time in this order, the first sensor and the second sensor are normal according to the movement of the door when the door is closed. In this case, it can be determined that both the first sensor and the second sensor have no OFF failure (a state in which the output is always OFF).

  On the other hand, if the ON of the second sensor output is not detected even after the predetermined time has elapsed after detecting the ON of the output of the first sensor, the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door is close to the front of the main body case, After that, it can be determined that the ON of the output of the second sensor is not detected even though the vicinity of the free end of the door is close to the front of the main body case, and therefore it is determined that the second sensor is in an OFF failure. Can do.

  In addition, when the ON of the output of the second sensor is detected without detecting the ON of the output of the first sensor, it can be determined that the vicinity of the free end of the door is close to the front of the main body case by the output of the second sensor. By that time, the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door is already close to the front of the main body case. Accordingly, in this case, it can be determined that the ON of the output of the first sensor is not detected even though the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door is close to the front surface of the main body case. Can be determined.

  Then, before the operation switch is turned on, an operation of closing the door after the object to be dried is accommodated in the rotating drum is performed. Therefore, if the door is closed while the operation switch is OFF, the first sensor and the second sensor can be self-diagnosed at that time, and if the sensor has an OFF fault, It is possible to specify which side of the first sensor or the second sensor has an OFF fault. Therefore, if there is an OFF failure in the first sensor or the second sensor, it is possible to take measures such as repairing it, and prevent the situation where the drying operation is not executed even if the door is closed and the operation switch is turned ON. it can.

In the clothes dryer,
When the operation switch is ON, the control unit detects that the output from the first sensor is ON, and if the second sensor is OFF, the control unit determines that the door is in a half-open state and does not execute the drying operation. It is desirable to have a configuration.

  When closing the side-opening door, first, the output of the first sensor is turned on by the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door being close to the front of the main body case, and then the vicinity of the free end of the door is being close to the front of the main body case. As a result, the output of the second sensor is turned ON. Therefore, even if the output ON of the first sensor is detected, if the output ON of the second sensor is not detected and the output is OFF, it can be determined that the vicinity of the free end of the door is still away from the front of the main body case. That is, it can be determined that the door is in a half-open state that has not yet been completely closed. As described above, based on the movement of the door that is opened and closed in a side-opening manner, it is not determined that the door is closed only by detecting the output ON of the first sensor, and from both the first sensor and the second sensor. When the output ON is detected, it is determined that the door is completely closed. Therefore, when the door is in a half-open state, the door is not erroneously recognized as being closed, and the state where the door is completely closed can be reliably detected, and the reliability for detecting the door open / close state is improved. . And since the drying operation is not executed when the door is in the half-open state, the danger that the drying operation is executed and the rotating drum is rotated with the door in the half-open state can be reliably avoided.

  As described above, according to the clothes dryer according to the present invention, it is possible to self-diagnose the presence or absence of the failure of the first sensor and the second sensor while the operation switch is OFF to find the sensor failure. Therefore, when a sensor failure is found, measures such as repair can be taken to prevent a situation where the drying operation is continued while the sensor remains in the failure state.

It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the state which opened the door of the left opening specification as a clothes dryer by embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the clothes dryer by embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the diagnostic flow which self-diagnose the presence or absence of a sensor failure. It is a flowchart which shows the diagnostic flow which self-diagnose the presence or absence of a sensor failure following FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the diagnostic flow which self-diagnose the presence or absence of a sensor failure after completion | finish of drying operation. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow which monitors a sensor output and controls execution and a stop of drying operation.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a clothes dryer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main body case 10 including a rotating drum 4 that accommodates an object to be dried C such as clothes and towels, and an outlet in front of the main body case 10. 11 includes a side-opening door 2 that opens and closes 11 and a control unit 3 that controls the operation of the clothes dryer 1.

  The rotating drum 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape with one end opened, and is rotatably installed in the main body case 10 in a horizontal posture. A lower space in the main body case 10 is provided with a motor 42 that rotationally drives the rotary drum 4 and a burner unit 43 that is a heating means for heating the air taken in from the air supply port 12. The air supply port 12 is formed through the lower portion of the side wall of the main body case 10. A hot air duct 52 communicating with the hot air outlet 41 on the rear wall of the rotary drum 4 is provided in the rear space in the main body case 10. Further, an exhaust duct 51 that communicates with the exhaust port 13 on the upper surface of the main body case 10 is provided in the upper space in the main body case 10. The exhaust duct 51 is provided with a supply / exhaust fan 5 for blowing warm air into the rotary drum 4.

  The door 2 has a structure that allows the door 2 to be easily opened to the left or right according to the convenience of use and the installation location of the clothes dryer 1. That is, the hinge 21 that pivotally supports the door 2 is attached to either the left or right end of the front wall 14 of the main body case 10. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the door 2 has a left-opening specification that is rotatably attached to the left end portion toward the front of the main body case 10. The clothes dryer 1 includes a memory 32 for storing that the door 2 is opened to the left or right.

  An exhaust passage 22 is provided inside the door 2. An exhaust inlet 23 and an exhaust outlet 24 that communicate with the exhaust flow path 22 are provided on the inner surface of the door 2. A purification filter F is detachably attached to the back side of the exhaust inlet 23. When the door 2 is closed, the exhaust inlet 23 of the door 2 is communicated with the outlet 11 of the main body case 10, and the exhaust outlet 24 of the door 2 is connected to the front wall 14 of the main body case 10. The duct inlet 17 is in communication.

  An operation panel 6 is provided on the lower surface of the front wall 14 of the main body case 10. The operation panel 6 is provided with an operation switch 61, a course changeover switch 62, a time change button 63, a display unit 64, and the like. And the control part 3 will drive the motor 42 and will rotate the rotating drum 4, if the operation switch 61 is turned ON in the state in which the door 2 was closed except the case of the sensor failure of the magnetic sensor 7 mentioned later, The air supply / exhaust fan 5 is rotated and the burner unit 43 is combusted to execute a drying operation. Then, external air is taken into the main body case 10 from the air supply port 12, heated by the burner unit 43, passes through the hot air duct 52 and becomes hot air, and is blown forward from the rear in the rotating drum 4. Then, the material to be dried C in the rotating drum 4 is dried. The air containing moisture in the rotating drum 4 passes through the exhaust passage 22 of the door 2 in front of the rotating drum 4, passes through the exhaust duct 51, and is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 13.

  Further, the clothes dryer 1 is provided with a magnetic sensor 7 as a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the door 2. The magnetic sensors 7 are arranged in parallel on the left and right positions of the front wall 14 of the main body case 10. And the magnet 8 is attached to the door 2 in the left-right position which opposes the magnetic sensor 7, when the door 2 is in the closed state. Thereby, when the door 2 is in the closed state, the magnet 8 attached to the door 2 comes close to the magnetic sensor 7 on the main body case 10 side and the output of the magnetic sensor 7 is turned on. When the door 2 is in the open state, the door 2 The magnet 8 attached to is separated from the magnetic sensor 7 on the main body case 10 side, and the output of the magnetic sensor 7 is turned OFF.

  The front wall 14 of the main body case 10 is formed with a recess 15 that is recessed inward so that the door 2 is fitted when the door 2 is closed. An outlet 11 is provided in the recess 15. The magnetic sensor 7 is attached to the control board 31 disposed on the front side in the lower space in the main body case 10, and the sensing unit is disposed so as to face the lower peripheral wall 16 of the recess 15. The magnet 8 of the door 2 is provided on the bottom surface of the lower wall 25 in the internal space of the door 2. With reference to FIG. 1, here, the magnetic sensor 7 disposed on the left side of the center toward the front of the main body case 10 is referred to as a left sensor 7L, and the magnetic sensor 7 disposed on the right side of the center is referred to as a right sensor 7R. To do. Further, in the present embodiment, the door 2 has a left-opening specification in which the door 2 is rotatably attached to the left end portion toward the front surface of the main body case 10. In this case, as the magnetic sensor 7, the left sensor 7 </ b> L disposed on the side close to the door mounting position and close to the rotation support end of the door 2 is used as the first sensor, and the side far from the door mounting position is the free end of the door 2. The right sensor 7 </ b> R disposed close to the second sensor is a second sensor.

  The control unit 3 includes a control configuration that monitors the output of the magnetic sensor 7 and diagnoses the presence or absence of a failure of the magnetic sensor 7 while the operation switch 61 is OFF. When the control unit 3 determines that the magnetic sensor 7 is normal, the controller 3 recognizes the open / closed state of the door 2 by turning on / off the output of the magnetic sensor 7 and turns on the magnetic sensor 7 when the operation switch 61 is on. If the output is detected, a control configuration for executing the drying operation is provided.

  By the way, the user turns on the operation switch 61 in order to start the drying operation, but before the operation switch 61 is turned on, the user opens the door 2 in order to store the object to be dried C in the rotating drum 4. Perform the opening and closing operation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the operation switch 61 is OFF, the control unit 3 monitors the output states of the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R to self-diagnose whether there is a sensor failure. Below, the operation | movement which diagnoses the presence or absence of the failure of the magnetic sensor 7 by the control part 3 is demonstrated.

  Referring to FIG. 3, when power switch is ON and operation switch 61 is OFF (S0), control unit 3 monitors the output states of left sensor 7L and right sensor 7R, and left sensor 7L and right sensor If both outputs of 7R are OFF (“Yes” in S1), it is determined that the door 2 is in an open state. The “powered state” includes a state where the power plug of the clothes dryer 1 is inserted into an outlet such as a commercial power source, a state where a power switch is turned on, and the like (hereinafter the same). And the control part 3 acquires the information of the opening specification of the door 2 memorize | stored in the memory 32. FIG. In this embodiment, since the door 2 has a left-opening specification (“Yes” in S2), the left sensor 7L (first sensor) and the right sensor 7R (second sensor) when the door 2 is closed from the opened state. From the output state, whether or not there is a sensor failure is determined as follows.

  Specifically, when the output of the left sensor 7L is detected (“Yes” in S3) and then the output of the right sensor 7R is detected within a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) (“Yes” in S4). ]), It is determined that neither the left sensor 7L nor the right sensor 7R has an OFF failure (always the output is OFF) (S5). On the other hand, after detecting the ON of the output of the left sensor 7L, if the ON of the output of the right sensor 7R is not detected even after the predetermined time has elapsed ("No" in S4), the right sensor 7R has failed OFF. (S6). Then, while notifying that the right sensor 7R is in an OFF failure, the execution of the drying operation is prohibited (S7). If the output of the right sensor 7R is detected without detecting the ON of the output of the left sensor 7L ("No" in S3) ("Yes" in S8), the left sensor 7L has an OFF failure. (S9). And while notifying that the left side sensor 7L has an OFF failure, execution of the drying operation is prohibited (S10). In addition, the said notification (S7, S10) can be performed by various methods, such as a display on the display part 64, lighting of a lamp | ramp, or an audio | voice and a specific buzzer sound.

  The reason for making the above determination will be described. As for the door 2 that is opened and closed in a side-opening manner, the movement of the door 2 when it is closed from the open state is such that the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door 2 is first in front of the main body case 10. Next, the vicinity of the free end of the door 2 approaches the front surface of the main body case 10. When the door 2 has a left-opening specification as in this embodiment, the left sensor 7L (first sensor) is disposed near the rotation support end of the door 2, and the right sensor 7R (second sensor) is the door. 2 near the free end. Accordingly, when the door 2 having the left opening specification is closed from the opened state, the output of the left sensor 7L is turned ON first, and then the output of the right sensor 7R is turned ON. If the output ON of the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R is sequentially detected within a certain time in this order, the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R operate normally according to the movement when the door 2 is closed. In this case, it can be determined that both the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R have no OFF failure.

  On the other hand, when the output ON of the right sensor 7R is not detected even after the predetermined time has elapsed after the output ON of the left sensor 7L is detected, the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door 2 is close to the front of the main body case 10, Thereafter, it can be determined that the output ON of the right sensor 7R is not detected even though the vicinity of the free end of the door 2 is close to the front surface of the main body case 10, and therefore, it is determined that the right sensor 7R has an OFF failure. be able to.

  Further, when the output ON of the right sensor 7R is detected without detecting the output ON of the left sensor 7L, it is determined that the vicinity of the free end of the door 2 is close to the front of the main body case 10 by detecting the output ON of the right sensor 7R. Therefore, by that time, the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door 2 is already close to the front surface of the main body case 10. Therefore, in this case, it can be determined that the output ON of the left sensor 7L is not detected even if the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door 2 is already close to the front of the main body case 10, and therefore the left sensor 7L is OFF. It can be determined that a failure has occurred.

  In this way, when the door 2 is closed when the operation switch 61 is OFF, the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R can self-diagnose whether there is an OFF failure, and either the left sensor 7L or the right sensor 7R. If there is an OFF failure, it can be specified which side of the magnetic sensor 7 has the OFF failure. In addition, when a sensor failure is found, the drying operation is prohibited, so that the clothes dryer 1 is prevented from being used in a sensor failure state. By the way, when the magnetic sensor 7 is in an OFF failure, the drying operation is not executed even if the operation switch 61 is turned on, but it may be difficult to identify the cause. In that case, when an OFF failure of the magnetic sensor 7 is found by the above-described failure diagnosis, measures such as repair can be taken appropriately, and the clothes dryer 1 can be used appropriately again.

  On the other hand, when the operation switch 61 is OFF with the power on (S0), if the outputs of the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R are both ON (“Yes” in S31), It is determined that the door 2 is in a closed state. In this case, referring to FIG. 4, the control unit 3 acquires the information on the opening specification of the door 2 stored in the memory 32, and the left sensor 7 </ b> L (the first sensor 1 when the door 2 is opened from the closed state) From the output states of the sensor) and the right sensor 7R (second sensor), the presence or absence of sensor failure is determined as follows. In the present embodiment, the door 2 has a left opening specification (“Yes” in S32).

  Specifically, when the output of the right sensor 7R is detected to be OFF ("Yes" in S33) and then the output of the left sensor 7L is detected within a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) ("Yes" in S34). ]), It is determined that neither the left sensor 7L nor the right sensor 7R has an ON failure (always, the output is ON) (S35). On the other hand, if the output of the left sensor 7L is not detected after the predetermined time has elapsed after detecting the output OFF of the right sensor 7R ("No" in S34), the left sensor 7L has failed to turn ON. (S36). Then, the left sensor 7L is notified that the ON failure has occurred, and the execution of the drying operation is prohibited (S37). If the output of the left sensor 7L is detected without detecting the output OFF of the right sensor 7R (“No” in S33) (“Yes” in S38), the right sensor 7R has an ON failure. Is determined (S39). And while notifying that the right side sensor 7R has failed ON, execution of drying operation is prohibited (S40). In addition, the said notification (S37, S40) can be performed by various methods, such as a display on the display part 64, lighting of a lamp | ramp, or an audio | voice and a specific buzzer sound.

  Explaining the reason for making the above determination, the door 2 that is opened and closed in a side-opening manner, as the movement of the door 2 when opened from the closed state, first the vicinity of the free end of the door 2 is separated from the front of the main body case 10, Next, the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door 2 is separated from the front surface of the main body case 10. When the door 2 is of the left opening specification as in this embodiment, when the door 2 is opened from the closed state, the output of the right sensor 7R is turned off first, and then the output of the left sensor 7L is turned off. Therefore, if the output OFF of the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R is sequentially detected within a certain time in this order, the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R are normal according to the movement when the door 2 is opened. In this case, it is possible to determine that both the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R have no ON failure.

  On the other hand, when the output OFF of the left sensor 7L is not detected even after the predetermined time has elapsed after the output OFF of the right sensor 7R is detected, the vicinity of the free end of the door 2 is separated from the front of the main body case 10, and then the door 2, it can be determined that the output OFF of the left sensor 7L is not detected even though the vicinity of the rotation support end is away from the front surface of the main body case 10, and therefore, it can be determined that the left sensor 7L has an ON failure. it can.

  Further, when the output OFF of the left sensor 7L is detected without detecting the output OFF of the right sensor 7R, the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door 2 is separated from the front of the main body case 10 due to the detection of the output OFF of the left sensor 7L. Since the determination can be made, the vicinity of the free end of the door 2 has already been separated from the front of the main body case 10 by that time. Therefore, in this case, it can be determined that the OFF of the output of the right sensor 7R is not detected even though the vicinity of the free end of the door 2 is already away from the front of the main body case 10, and therefore the right sensor 7R has an ON failure. Can be determined.

  In this way, when the door 2 is opened when the operation switch 61 is OFF, it is possible to self-diagnose whether the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R are on or not, and either the left sensor 7L or the right sensor 7R. If there is an ON failure, it can be specified which side of the sensor has the ON failure. In addition, when a sensor failure is found, the drying operation is prohibited, so that the clothes dryer 1 is prevented from being used when the magnetic sensor 7 is in an ON failure state. Then, when an ON failure of the magnetic sensor 7 is found by the failure diagnosis, measures such as repair can be properly taken, and the clothes dryer 1 can be used properly again.

  Further, when the drying operation is completed, the user performs an operation of opening the door 2 in order to take out the dried object C to be dried from the rotary drum 4. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 3 monitors the output states of the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R and performs self-diagnosis of the sensor failure even when the drying operation is finished. The operation switch 61 is automatically turned OFF when the drying operation is completed. Hereinafter, an operation of diagnosing whether or not the magnetic sensor 7 has failed when the drying operation is completed will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 5, when the drying operation is completed, control unit 3 acquires information on the opening specifications of door 2 stored in memory 32. In the present embodiment, it is recognized that the door 2 has a left-opening specification (“Yes” in S61). Since the door 2 is in a closed state when the drying operation is completed, the output state of the left sensor 7L (first sensor) and the right sensor 7R (second sensor) when the door 2 is opened from the closed state. Thus, the presence or absence of sensor failure is determined as follows.

  Specifically, when the output of the right sensor 7R is detected to be OFF (“Yes” in S62) and then the output of the left sensor 7L is detected within a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) (“Yes” in S63). ]), It is determined that neither the left sensor 7L nor the right sensor 7R has an ON failure (always the output is ON) (S64). On the other hand, after detecting the output OFF of the right sensor 7R, if the output OFF of the left sensor 7L is not detected even after the predetermined time has elapsed ("No" in S63), the left sensor 7L has failed ON. (S65). And while notifying that the left side sensor 7L has failed ON, execution of drying operation is prohibited (S66). If the output of the left sensor 7L is detected without detecting the output OFF of the right sensor 7R (“No” in S62) (“Yes” in S67), the right sensor 7R has an ON failure. (S68). And while notifying that the right side sensor 7R has failed ON, execution of drying operation is prohibited (S69). The above determination is the same as the above-described determination when the door 2 is opened from the closed state (see FIG. 4), and the reason and effect thereof are also as described above.

  When it is determined that both the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R have no ON failure, and then the door 2 is closed from the opened state, as described above, according to the determination flow of steps S1 to S10 in FIG. Then, it is determined whether the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R have an OFF failure.

  The above self-diagnosis is for the case where the door 2 is of the left-opening specification. However, when the door 2 is of the right-opening specification, the right sensor 7R is located closer to the door mounting position and closer to the rotation support end of the door 2. The left sensor 7L is a second sensor arranged on the side far from the door mounting position and near the free end of the door 2. That is, in the case of the door 2 with the right opening specification, the correspondence relationship between the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R is opposite to that of the door 2 with the left opening specification. Therefore, in the case of the door 2 with the right-opening specification, the door 2 with the left-opening specification described above, except that the correspondence between the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R is opposite to that of the door 2 with the left-opening specification. In the same manner as in the embodiment, whether the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R are OFF faults (S11 to S19 in FIG. 3) or ON faults (S41 to S49 in FIG. 4, S70 to S78 in FIG. 5). Can self-diagnose.

  As described above, when the operation switch 61 is OFF, it is possible to self-determine whether or not the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R are faulty. Therefore, the sensor failure is not noticed when the magnetic sensor 7 is faulty. The use of the clothes dryer 1 can be avoided.

  When both the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R are normal with no failure by the above self-diagnosis, the control unit 3 monitors the outputs of the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R to control the drying operation. Referring to FIG. 6, when the operation switch 61 is ON, the control unit 3 detects the output ON of the left sensor 7L (“Yes” in S82) when the door 2 has a left-opening specification (S81). Next, if the output ON of the right sensor 7R is detected (“Yes” in S83), it is determined that the door 2 is completely closed (S84), and the motor 42 is driven to rotate the rotating drum 4 Is rotated, the air supply / exhaust fan 5 is rotated, and the burner unit 43 is combusted to perform a drying operation (S85). This means that when the door 2 of the left-opening specification is closed, first, the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door 2 is close to the front of the main body case 10, whereby the output of the left sensor 7L (first sensor) is turned ON, and then the door Since the vicinity of the free end of 2 is close to the front surface of the main body case 10, the output of the right sensor 7R (second sensor) is turned on. Thus, if the output ON of the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R is detected in this way, the door 2 is based on the fact that it can be determined that 2 is completely closed.

  On the other hand, when the output of the left sensor 7L is OFF (“No” in S82), it can be determined that the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door 2 is away from the front of the main body case 10, and in this case, the door 2 Since the vicinity of the free end is also away from the front surface of the main body case 10, it can be determined that the door 2 is in a largely open state (S86). In this case, the drying operation is stopped even when the operation switch 61 is ON (S88).

  Even if the output of the left sensor 7L is detected, if the output of the right sensor 7R is OFF ("No" in S83), the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door 2 is close to the front of the main body case 10. However, it can be determined that the vicinity of the free end of the door 2 is away from the front surface of the main body case 10 and the door 2 is not fully closed yet and is in a half-open state (S87). Also in this case, the drying operation is stopped even if the operation switch 61 is ON (S88).

  As described above, based on the movement of the door 2 that is opened and closed in a side-opening manner, it is not determined that the door 2 is closed only by detecting the output ON of the left sensor 7L, and the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R When the output ON is detected from both, it is determined that the door 2 is completely closed. Therefore, by detecting that the door 2 is in a half-opened state that is not yet completely closed, it is possible to reliably detect the state in which the door 2 is completely closed, and reliability for detecting the open / closed state of the door 2. Will improve. And since the drying operation is stopped when the door 2 is in a half-opened state, the danger that the rotating drum 4 is rotated while the door 2 is in a half-opened state can be reliably avoided.

  In the case of the door 2 with the right opening specification, the right sensor 7R is the first sensor arranged near the rotation support end of the door 2, and the left sensor 7L is the second sensor arranged near the free end of the door 2. Therefore, the corresponding relationship is reverse to that of the case of the door 2 of the left opening specification. That is, referring to FIG. 6, when the door 2 is of the right opening specification (S91), the door 2 is completely closed by detecting the output ON of the right sensor 7R and then detecting the output ON of the left sensor 7L. It is determined that the drying operation has been performed, and the drying operation is executed (S92 → S93 → S94 → S95). On the other hand, when the output of the right sensor 7R is OFF, it is determined that the door 2 is in a largely open state and the drying operation is stopped (S92 → S96 → S98), and the output ON of the right sensor 7R is detected. Even if (Yes in S92), if the output of the left sensor 7L is OFF, it is determined that the door 2 is in a half-open state, and the drying operation is stopped (S93 → S97 → S98).

  Note that the control shown in FIG. 6 is always executed when the operation switch 61 is ON. That is, “when the operation switch 61 is ON” includes when the user turns on the operation switch 61 to start the drying operation or when the operation switch 61 is ON. For example, if the output of the left sensor 7L and / or the right sensor 7R is turned off due to the user opening the door 2 to add an object C to be dried during the drying operation, the drying operation is stopped. (In FIG. 6, S83 → S87 → S88, S82 → S86 → S88, or S93 → S97 → S98, S92 → S96 → S98). When the drying operation is temporarily stopped, when the user completely closes the door 2 and the output ON is detected from both the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R, the drying operation is resumed ( In FIG. 6, S82 → S83 → S84 → S85 or S92 → S93 → S94 → S95). That is, as a condition for executing the drying operation, it is only necessary that the operation switch 61 is turned on and the outputs from both the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R are turned on.

  Whether the door 2 has a left-opening specification or a right-opening specification is recorded in the memory 32, but if it is not recorded, the control unit 3 automatically determines and records it in the memory 32. For example, when the power is first turned on after the door 2 is attached to the main body case 10 at the time of factory shipment, the control unit 3 monitors the output states of the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R. At this time, referring to FIG. 3, when the door 3 is in the open state and the outputs of the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R both detect OFF ("Yes" in S1), Subsequently, the memory 32 is referred to. Since the information on the door opening specification is not recorded in the memory 32 (“No” in S2 and “No” in S11), the following processing is performed.

  In this case, when the output of the left sensor 7L is first detected by closing the door 2 from the opened state ("Yes" in S20), it is determined that the door 2 has the left opening specification ( S21) Information indicating that the door 2 is of the left-opening specification is written in the memory 32 (S22). On the other hand, when the output of the right sensor 7R is first detected ON ("No" in S20, in S23) “Yes”), it is determined that the door 2 has the right-open specification (S24), and information indicating that the door 2 has the right-open specification is written in the memory 32 (S25).

  This is based on the fact that when the door 2 is closed from the opened state, the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door 2 comes closer to the front of the main body case 10 before the vicinity of the free end of the door 2. Here, the case where the door 2 is attached to the left end portion so as to be rotatable toward the front of the main body case 10 is defined as a left opening specification, and the door 2 is rotatable to the right end portion toward the front of the main body case 10. When installed, the right-open specification is used. Therefore, when the door 2 is installed in the left-opening specification, the left end portion of the door 2 serves as a rotation support end and approaches the front of the main body case 10 from the left side of the door 2. Is turned ON. Therefore, in this case, it can be determined that the door 2 has a left-opening specification. In addition, when the door 2 is installed in a right-opening specification, the right end of the door 2 has a pivot support end, and approaches the front of the main body case 10 from the right side of the door 2. Turns on. Therefore, in this case, it can be determined that the door 2 has a right-opening specification.

  On the other hand, when the door 2 is closed and the outputs of the left sensor 7L and the right sensor 7R are both ON (“Yes” in S31 of FIG. 3), the memory 32 is subsequently referenced with reference to the memory 32. If the information on the opening specification of the door 2 is not recorded (“No” in S32 of FIG. 4, “No” in S41), the following processing operation is performed.

  In this case, referring to FIG. 4, when the output of the right sensor 7R is first detected by opening the door 2 from the closed state (“Yes” in S50), the door 2 is opened to the left. It is determined that the specification is the specification (S51), and information indicating that the door 2 is the left-opening specification is written in the memory 32 (S52). On the other hand, when the output of the left sensor 7L is first detected as OFF (S53). "Yes"), it is determined that the door 2 has a right-open specification (S54), and information indicating that the door 2 has a right-open specification is written in the memory 32 (S55).

  This is based on the fact that when the door 2 is opened from the closed state, the vicinity of the free end of the door 2 is separated from the front surface of the main body case 10 before the vicinity of the rotation support end of the door 2. Therefore, when the door 2 is installed in the left-opening specification, the right end portion of the door 2 becomes a free end and moves away from the front side of the main body case 10 from the right side of the door 2. Turn off. Therefore, in this case, it can be determined that the door 2 has a left-opening specification. Further, when the door 2 is installed in the right-opening specification, the left end of the door 2 becomes a free end and moves away from the front of the main body case 10 from the left side of the door 2. Turn off. Therefore, in this case, it can be determined that the door 2 has a right-opening specification.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, A various change can be performed within the range of the summary of this invention. For example, the sensor 7 may be an optical sensor or the like other than the magnetic sensor. Further, the location of the sensors 7L and 7R may be the upper part or the middle part of the front wall 14 of the main body case 10. Further, the heating means 43 may be a heater other than the burner unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Clothes dryer 2 Door 3 Control part 4 Rotating drum 7 Magnetic sensor 7L Left sensor 7R Right sensor 8 Magnet 10 Main body case 11 Outlet 14 Front wall 15 Recess 16 Lower peripheral wall 21 Hinge 25 Lower wall 32 Memory 42 Motor 43 Burner unit 61 Operation switch C

Claims (3)

A main body case having a rotating drum for storing objects to be dried, such as clothes, and a left and right end of the front surface of the main body case are pivotally attached to open and close the outlet for the objects to be dried provided on the front surface of the main body case. The door opens and closes, the output is turned on when the door is closed, the output is turned off when the door is opened, and the open / closed state of the door is recognized by ON / OFF of the sensor output. A control unit that executes a drying operation if the output of the sensor is detected when the operation switch is ON,
The sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor arranged side by side on the front of the main body case. The first sensor is disposed closer to the door mounting position than the center of the front of the main body case. 2 sensors are arranged on the side farther from the door mounting position than the center of the front of the body case,
When the operation switch is OFF, the control unit is in a state of detecting output ON from the first sensor and the second sensor, and when the door is opened from the closed state,
(A) When the output OFF of the second sensor is detected and then the output OFF of the first sensor is detected within a certain time, it is determined that both the first sensor and the second sensor have no ON failure,
(B) If the first sensor output OFF is not detected even after the predetermined time has elapsed after detecting the output OFF of the second sensor, it is determined that the first sensor has an ON failure,
(C) A clothes dryer having a control configuration in which when the output OFF of the first sensor is detected without detecting the output OFF of the second sensor, it is determined that the second sensor is ON-failed. A main body case having a rotating drum for storing objects to be dried, such as clothes, and a left and right end of the front surface of the main body case are pivotally attached to open and close the outlet for the objects to be dried provided on the front surface of the main body case. The door opens and closes, the output is turned on when the door is closed, the output is turned off when the door is opened, and the open / closed state of the door is recognized by ON / OFF of the sensor output. A control unit that executes a drying operation if the output of the sensor is detected when the operation switch is ON,
The sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor arranged side by side on the front of the main body case. The first sensor is disposed closer to the door mounting position than the center of the front of the main body case. 2 sensors are arranged on the side farther from the door mounting position than the center of the front of the body case,
When the operation switch is OFF, the control unit is in the state of detecting the output OFF of the first sensor and the second sensor, and the door is closed from the open state,
(D) When the output ON of the first sensor is detected, and then the output ON of the second sensor is detected within a certain time, it is determined that there is no OFF failure in both the first sensor and the second sensor;
(E) If the output of the second sensor is not detected even after the predetermined time has elapsed after the output of the first sensor is detected, it is determined that the second sensor has an OFF failure;
(F) A clothes dryer having a control configuration in which it is determined that the first sensor is in an OFF failure when the output ON of the second sensor is detected without detecting the output ON of the first sensor. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2,
When the operation switch is ON, the control unit detects that the output from the first sensor is ON, and if the second sensor is OFF, the control unit determines that the door is in a half-open state and does not execute the drying operation. A clothes dryer to be configured.