Patent ID: 8256138
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling an automatic dryer, which uses a sensor output value affected by contact with laundry, comprising: determining whether the amount of laundry is small or large by using an average output value of the sensor in a preset time period of an initial drying stage; detecting a saturation voltage generating point of the sensor; and performing a drying cycle based on each dryness level by using information for the amount of laundry and the saturation voltage generating point, wherein the amount of laundry is determined to be large when the average output value in the preset time period of the initial drying stage is lower than a preset output value, and the amount of laundry is determined to be small when the average output value in the preset time period of the initial drying stage is higher than the preset output value, wherein, when the amount of laundry is sensed to be small by using the average output value in the preset time period of the initial drying stage, detection of a saturation voltage generating point is required, and wherein, when the amount of laundry is sensed to be large by using the average output value in the preset time period of the initial drying stage, an occurrence of a reference voltage is estimated at a corresponding point when the output value of the sensor is outputted above a reference voltage value and is maintained for a reference time period, and an additional drying time (T_add) is calculated in proportion to the time period required from the corresponding point to a point of detecting a dryness level decision voltage.