Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20090113745?dq=6,606,102
Timestamp: 2014-12-26 15:19:33
Document Index: 246268396

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 410', 'art 410', 'art 420', 'art 410', 'art 420', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 420', 'art 420', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410']

Patent US20090113745 - Dryer - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA laundry machine, more particularly, a dryer is disclosed. A dryer includes a cabinet, a drum in which a drying object is held, a steam generation device to supply steam to the drum, a water supply device to supply water to the steam generation device in order to generate steam, an additive holding...http://www.google.com/patents/US20090113745?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20090113745 - DryerAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20090113745 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 12/289,022Publication dateMay 7, 2009Filing dateOct 17, 2008Priority dateNov 2, 2007Also published asEP2055824A1, EP2055824B1, US8695232, US20110239480Publication number12289022, 289022, US 2009/0113745 A1, US 2009/113745 A1, US 20090113745 A1, US 20090113745A1, US 2009113745 A1, US 2009113745A1, US-A1-20090113745, US-A1-2009113745, US2009/0113745A1, US2009/113745A1, US20090113745 A1, US20090113745A1, US2009113745 A1, US2009113745A1InventorsChul Jin Choi, Sang Hun Bae, Yang Hwan Kim, Tae Hee Lee, Min Ji Kim, Ku Young SonOriginal AssigneeChul Jin Choi, Sang Hun Bae, Yang Hwan Kim, Tae Hee Lee, Min Ji Kim, Ku Young SonExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (4), Referenced by (9), Classifications (12), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetDryerUS 20090113745 A1Abstract A laundry machine, more particularly, a dryer is disclosed. A dryer includes a cabinet, a drum in which a drying object is held, a steam generation device to supply steam to the drum, a water supply device to supply water to the steam generation device in order to generate steam, an additive holding part in which an additive is held, and an additive supply device to supply the additive held in the additive holding part to the drum.
a cabinet; a drum in which a drying object is held; a steam generation device to supply steam to the drum; a water supply device to supply water to the steam generation device in order to generate steam; an additive holding part in which an additive is held; and an additive supply device to supply the additive held in the additive holding part to the drum. 2. The dryer of claim 1, wherein the water supply device comprises a water holding part in which water is held prior to be supplied to the steam supply device.
3. The dryer of claim 2, wherein the steam supply device comprises,
a steam generator that generates steam; a pump that pumps the water held in the water holding part into the steam generator; a nozzle to supply the steam generated at the steam generator to the drum; and a pipe provided between the steam generator and the nozzle to form a path. 4. The dryer of claim 2, wherein the additive supply device comprises,
a pump that pumps the additive held in the additive holding part to generate a hydraulic pressure; a nozzle to supply the additive pumped by the pump to the drum; and a pipe provided between the pump and the nozzle to form a path. 5. The dryer of claim 1, wherein the steam supply device comprises a steam nozzle to spray steam into the drum, further wherein the additive supply device comprises an additive nozzle to spray an additive into the drum.
6. The dryer of claim 5, wherein the steam nozzle and the additive nozzle are configured to be separate.
7. The dryer of claim 5, wherein the steam nozzle and the additive nozzle are configured of a single nozzle.
8. The dryer of claim 7, wherein a steam spray hole to spray steam and an additive spray hole to spray an additive are formed separately.
9. The dryer of claim 7, wherein a spray hole is formed at the single nozzle to spray both steam and an additive.
10. The dryer of claim 2, wherein the water holding part and the additive holding part are detachable from the dryer.
11. The dryer of claim 10, wherein a drawer separately movable forward and rearward is formed at a front portion of the dryer and the water holding part and the additive holding part are provided inside the drawer.
12. The dryer of claim 1, wherein the water supply device is connected with an external water supply source to supply water for steam generation to the steam generation device.
13. The dryer of claim 12, further comprising a shutoff device that shuts off water overflowed from the steam generation device from being supplied to the drum.
14. The dryer of claim 13, wherein the steam supply device comprises, a steam generator that generates steam; and
a pipe to supply the steam generated by the steam generator to the drum, wherein the shutoff device is provided at the pipe. 15. The dryer of claim 14, wherein the shutoff device is controlled according to a temperature of the steam generator.
16. A dryer comprising:
a cabinet; a drum in which a drying object is held; an air supply device to supply hot air or cool air to the drum; a moisture supply device to supply a fine moisture particle to the drum; a water supply device to supply water for generating a fine moisture particle to the moisture supply device; a water supply device to supply water for generating steam to the steam supply device; an additive holding part in which an additive is held; and an additive supply device to supply the additive held in the additive holding part to the drum. 17. The dryer of claim 16, wherein the water supply device comprises a water holding part in which water is held to be supplied to the moisture supply device.
18. The dryer of claim 17, wherein the water supply device comprises a water supply valve selectively opened and closed to selectively supply water to the moisture supply device, the water supply valve in communication with an external water source.
19. The dryer of claim 18, further comprising a shutoff device provided in the moisture supply device to shut off substantially too much water from being supplied to the drum through the moisture supply device.
a cabinet; a drum in which a drying object is held; an air supply device to supply hot air or cool air to the drum; a tank that holds water and an additive, the tank being detachable from the cabinet; and a moisture supply device that transforms the water and additive provided in the tank into a fine moisture particle. Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of the Patent Korean Application Nos. 10-2007-111378 filed on Nov. 2, 2007 and 10-2007-114754 filed on Nov. 12, 2007, which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
The present invention relates to a laundry machine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a drum type laundry dryer.
Therefore, users prefer and ask dryers that can dry laundry that can be wearable right after drying and at this time the laundry should have pleasant smell to supply the user a pleasant and fresh feeling.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a laundry machine, particularly, to a dryer.
To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a dryer includes a cabinet; a drum in which a drying object is held; a steam generation device to supply steam to the drum; a water supply device to supply water to the steam generation device in order to generate steam; an additive holding part in which an additive is held; and an additive supply device to supply the additive held in the additive holding part to the drum. Here, the steam supplied to the drum may be replaced with a fine moisture particle and hot air that are supplied to the drum together simultaneously. For that, an air supply device and a moisture supply device may be further provided in the dryer.
According to an embodiment, a dryer includes a drum in which a drying object is held; an air supply device to supply hot air or cool air to the drum; a steam generation device to supply steam to the drum; a water holding part in which water is held prior to be supplied to the steam generation device; an additive holding part in which an additive is held; and an additive supply device to supply the additive held in the additive holding part to the drum.
In another aspect of the present invention, a dryer includes a drum in which a drying object is held; a steam generation device to supply steam to the drum; a water supply device connected with an external water supply source to supply water for steam generation to the steam generation device; a shutoff device that shuts off water overflowed from the steam generation device from being supplied to the drum; an additive holding part in which an additive is held; an additive supply device to supply the additive held in the additive holding part to the drum; and a controller that controls the steam generation device, the water supply device, the shutoff device and the additive supply device.
The steam supply device includes a steam generator that generates steam; and a steam path to supply the steam generated by the steam generation device to the drum. The shutoff device may be provided at the steam path and it may include a shutoff valve selectively opened and closed.
The shutoff device may be controlled according to a temperature of the steam generator. Specifically, when the temperature is over a preset valve, the shutoff valve is opened.
The additive supply device includes a pump that pumps the additive held in the additive holding part to generate a hydraulic pressure; and an additive path to supply the pumped additive to the drum.
The steam supply device includes a steam nozzle to spray steam into the drum and the additive supply device includes an additive nozzle to spray an additive into the drum. Here, the steam nozzle and the additive nozzle may be configured to be separate, or to be a single nozzle.
The steam nozzle and the additive nozzle are configured of a single nozzle having a single body. That is, a spray hole to spray fine moisture particles and an additive spray hole to spray an additive are formed in the single nozzle. Alternatively, a spray hole is formed in the single nozzle to spray fine moisture particles and an additive together.
Here, a drawer separately movable forward and rearward is formed at a front portion of the dryer. When supplying water or an additive, a user moves rearward and separates the drawer. After filling water, the user moves forward and detaches the drawer. Thus, the space occupied by the dryer may be reduced and an exterior appearance can be enhanced.
A dryer according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a drum in which a drying object is held; an air supply device to supply hot air or cool air to the drum; a moisture supply device to supply fine moisture particles to the drum; a water supply valve selectively opened and closed to selectively supply water to the moisture supply device, the water supply valve in communication with an external water source; a shutoff device provided in the moisture supply device to shut off substantially too much water from being supplied to the drum through the moisture supply device; an additive holding part in which an additive is held; an additive supply device to supply the additive held in the additive holding part to the drum; and a controller that controls the steam generation device, the water supply device, the shutoff device and the additive supply device.
Here, the shutoff device includes a shutoff valve selectively opened and closed.
The shutoff valve may be controlled to be closed if a preset time period passes after the controller generates a signal for opening the water supply valve. The shutoff valve may be controlled to be opened substantially at the same time. In addition, the shutoff valve may be controlled to be closed when an amount of water more than predetermined is supplied to the drum through the moisture supply device.
As a result, the shutoff device may prevent too much water from being supplied to the drum. Even in case of a failure of the water supply valve, too much water is prevented from being supplied to the drum.
It is preferable that the air supply device is controlled to supply hot air to the drum when the fine moisture particles are supplied to the drum.
The additive supply device includes an additive path to make the additive holding part in communication with the moisture supply device; and an additive valve that selectively opens and closes the additive path. Here, the additive supply device may further include a check valve provided at the additive path to prevent water from overflowing through the additive path.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a steam generator of a dryer according to another embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a mounting structure of the steam generator and an additive supply device of the dryer according to another embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the additive holding part of the dryer according to another embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a control panel of the dryer according to the embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a dryer according to a still further embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a first embodiment of a control method of the dryer according to the embodiment;
FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment of a control method of the dryer according to the embodiment; and
FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a third embodiment of the dryer according to the embodiment.
First, the process of supplying steam to the drum will be described. The water held in the holding part 410 is supplied to the steam generator 200 through the water supply path 220. at this time, the pump 600 generates the hydraulic pressure to draw the water into the steam generator 200.the water inside the steam generator 200 is heated to be transformed into steam and the steam is sprayed into the drum through the steam path 230 and the steam nozzle 250.
Such the water and additive may be supplied to the laundry inside the drum in a fine water droplet shape to perform functions such as removing wrinkles and static electricity, smoothing fabric and adding pleasant fragrance.
Next, a dryer according to another embodiment of the present invention in reference to corresponding drawings will be described.
In this embodiment, like in the above embodiment, steam and an additive may be supplied to a drum, or fine moisture particles and an additive together with hot air may be supplied to the drum. Thus, identical part to the above embodiment will be omitted.
In this embodiment, water for generating steam or fine moisture particles is supplied by an external water supply source, unlike the above embodiment. That is, instead of the water supplied through the water holding part by a user, water is supplied through a water tap positioned outside by the controller if necessary.
Next, in reference to the corresponding drawings, this embodiment will be explained.
First of all, in reference to FIG. 8, the specific structure of a steam generator 200 will be explained.
The steam generator 200 includes a water tank 210, a heater 240, a water level sensor 260 and a temperature sensor 270. Water is put in the water tank 210 and the heater 240 is mounted in the water tank 210. A water level of the water tank 210 is sensed and a water temperature of the water tank 210 is sensed.
A water supply path 220 is connected with a predetermined portion of the steam generator 200 and the water supply path 220 is connected with an external water supply source such as a water tap. The water is supplied to the steam generator through the water supply path 220. A steam path 230 is connected with the other opposite portion of the steam generator 200. A nozzle 250 may be installed at an end of the steam path 230 to improve the efficiency of steam spray. Connection portions between the steam generator 200 and the water path 220 and between the steam generator 200 and the steam path 230 may be changed in various ways as necessary. The water supply path and the steam path may be called variously according to which fluidal material flows, and every path may be defined as a pipe.
Here, the end of the steam path 230 or the nozzle 250, that is, a steam outlet is positioned in a predetermined portion of the drum 20 to spray steam into the drum 20. The nozzle 250 may be installed at a front portion or a rear portion of the drum, or it may be installed at the rear supporter 40.
A water supply valve 281 may be installed at the water supply path 220. That is, the controller selectively opens and closes the water supply valve as necessary. When water is needed in the dryer, the controller opens the water supply valve 281 and when water is not needed in the dryer, the controller closes the water supply valve 281. Here, the opening and closing of the water supply valve may be in relation with a water level sensed by the water level sensor 260. That is, in case of a lower level, the water supply valve 281 is opened. In case of a high level, the water supply valve 281 is closed.
Furthermore, a shutoff device may be provided at the steam path 230. Such that shutoff device may be provided at the steam generator 200. The steam generator and the steam path 230 may be included in a steam supply device and the nozzle 250 may be included in the steam supply device. Thus, the shutoff device may be included in the steam supply device.
The shutoff device prevents overflowed water of the steam supply device from being supplied to the drum. Here, the overflowed water may not mean that a small amount of water flows into the drum from the steam generator. This because steam is condensed and the condensed water at the steam path 230 may be discharged into the drum 20, although not preferable. Thus, the overflowed water may mean that water is continuously supplied to the drum from the steam supply device, that is, that water is supplied continuously under an uncontrollable condition.
The shutoff device may include a shutoff valve 282 provided at the steam path 230.
The overflowed water may be generated in flowing conditions. For example, when the water supply valve 281 is out of order, water may flow into the drum through the water supply valve 281 and the steam generator 200. Also, when the water level sensor 260 is out of order and it fails to sense a high level in the steam generator 200, water may flow into the drum continuously through the water supply valve 281 and the steam generator 200.
The steam supply device is configured to supply steam to the drum so that a small amount of moisture and a high temperature may be supplied to the laundry. That is, steam for drying the laundry is used in the dryer as necessary. As a result, dryers may not include a tub for storing water, a water drain device for draining the water of the tub and a water drain hose, unlike washers. If a large amount of water is supplied to the drum of the dryer, water flows into a sub-electric assembly of the dryer only to cause an electric leakage. In addition, the water overflowed from the drum flows outside the dryer to cause environmental pollution. The dryer for drying laundry might wet the laundry.
However, the shutoff device, especially, the shutoff valve 282 mentioned above may prevent such the problems.
The shutoff valve 282 may be controlled based on temperatures of the steam generator 200. If water is heated and steam is generated, the water is high temperature water. However, if water is supplied to the steam generator continuously, the temperature of water may be high even in heating the water. if the temperature of the steam generator is over a predetermined value, for example, at 100� C. and the shutoff valve 282 is controlled to be opened, the water is prevented from being supplied to the drum.
The shutoff valve 282 may be controlled in communication with the water supply valve 281. For example, the shutoff valve 282 may be closed in a preset time after an open signal of the water supply valve 281 is generated by the controller. Here, the preset time may be predetermined based on a time taken for water to be supplied to and heated in the steam generator 200 and a time taken for the steam to be supplied to the drum. As a result, even in a failure of the water supply valve 281, the water may be prevented from being supplied to the drum after the preset time.
The shutoff valve 282 and the water supply valve 281 may be controlled to be substantially opened at the same time. If the shutoff valve 282 is closed in supplying water through the water supply valve 281, a path from the water supply path 220 to the shutoff valve 282 is closed airtight such that water may not be supplied to the steam generator 200 smoothly.
The shutoff valve 282 may be controlled to be closed when an amount of water more than a predetermined amount is supplied to the drum through the steam generator. Except those conditions, the shutoff valve 282 may be maintained open.
Here, the preset amount of the water may be sensed by a water amount sensor 283. The water amount sensor may be provided at the water supply path 220. The water amount sensor may be configured as an impeller type sensor that is well known. That is, the amount of supplied water through the water supply path is sensed by using the rotation number of an impeller. If it is sensed that a too much amount of water is supplied to the steam generator by the water amount sensor, the shutoff valve 282 may be closed.
Next, in reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a structure of supplying an additive to the drum will be explained.
FIG. 9 shows that the steam generator 200 is connected with an external water supply source through the water supply path 220 and it shows the structure for supplying the additive to the drum.
In this embodiment, a drawer type container (hereinafter, a drawer) 500 separately moving forward and rearward is installed in a predetermined portion of the dryer. A tank 400 is mounted in the drawer 500. Here, the tank 400 is an additive holding part and the additive held in the additive holding part is supplied to the drum.
The tank 400 may be mounted in the drawer 500 and the drawer 500 moves forward and rearward to mount to indirectly separate the drawer 500 to and from the additive path 220, rather than the tank 400 connected with the additive path 221 directly. This is because a user may introduce the additive smoothly.
The drawer 500 may be provided at a front surface of the dryer, that is, the cabinet. Especially, the drawer 500 may be provided at the control panel 19.
In this embodiment, the tank 400 for supplying water to the steam generator 200 may be detachable. Here, the tank 400 may be configured as a cartridge that can be replaced by a user and thus the user is relieved of inconvenience of directly putting the additive every time. That is, the tank having the additive is configured to be a replaceable cartridge type. If purchasing such the cartridge and mounting it to the dryer, a user can use the dryer conveniently.
Such the cartridge may be changed variously according to a kind of fragrance. If changing only a cartridge, various demands of customers may be satisfied.
A pump 600 may be provided at the additive path 221 and a hydraulic pressure is generated by the pump 600. The additive may be sprayed into the drum through the nozzle 251.
FIG. 10 illustrates the tank 400 and as shown in FIG. 10 various kinds of additives such as an anti-static electricity agent, a fragrance and variations of them are held in the tank 400.
The tank 400 includes an additive holding part 410 and a cover part 420. The additive is held in the additive holding part 410 and the cover part 420 covers the additive holding part 410.
A water drain hole 411 as a path to make water drained through which water is discharged is formed at the holding part 410 and the water drain hole 411 is connected with the additive path 211. A water introduction hole 421 and an additive introduction hole 422 are formed at the cover part 420. As a result, the water and additive may be introduced through the water introduction hole 421 and the additive introduction hole 422, without separating the cover part 420 from the holding part 410.
As shown in FIG. 10, the additive introduced in the tank 400 is supplied to the drum through the pump 600 and the nozzle 251. For that, the nozzle 251 may be provided as a separate one from the nozzle 250 for spraying steam.
The additive supply device according to the present invention includes the pump 500 that pumps the additive held in the additive holding part 410 to generate a hydraulic pressure, and the nozzle 251 for supplying the pumped additive to the drum. Of course, the additive supply device includes the path 221 between the pump 600 and the nozzle 251.
Next, a process of supplying the steam and additive to the drum will be explained. Water for steam generation is supplied to the steam generator 200 through the water supply valve 281 and the water supply path 220. the water inside the steam generator
First, the process of supplying steam to the drum will be described. The water held in the holding part 410 is supplied to the steam generator 200 through the water supply valve 281 and the water supply path 220. The water inside the steam generator 200 is heated to be transformed into steam and the steam is sprayed into the drum through the steam path 230 and the steam nozzle 250. Here, the shutoff valve 282 prevents too much water from being supplied to the drum.
As a result, the water is supplied to the steam generator by an external hydraulic pressure and the additive is supplied to the drum by a hydraulic pressure generated by the pump.
Although not shown in the drawings, the pump 600 and the nozzle 251 for supplying the additive may be omitted. That is, the path 221 for supplying the additive may be connected with the steam path 230. In other words, it is possible to supply the additive to the drum by using the pressure for supplying steam.
FIG. 11 schematically illustrates the control panel 19 formed at a front surface of the dryer of FIG. 1.
On the dryer according to the present invention may be provided a controller 110 and a control panel 19. the controller 110 controls an operation of the dryer including operations of the steam supply device, the moisture supply device, a control panel 19, the additive supply device, the shutoff device and the air supply device. The control panel 19 is for an interface with the user.
Next, in reference to FIG. 12, a still further embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, a configuration for preventing too much water from being supplied to the drum is different from the above embodiment. Thus, the configuration for supplying the additive is identical to or similar to that of the above embodiment.
A water tank 292 is provided in the cabinet and water is held in the water tank 292. The water tank 292 is connected with an external water supply source such as a water tap through a water supply valve 282. A water level sensor 296 is provided in the water tank 292 to sense a water level. The water level sensor includes a common electrode 293, a high level electrode 295 and a lower level electrode 294. This structure may be identical to the water level sensor of the steam generator described before.
The water tank has a water drain hole at an upper portion thereof. The water drain hole is connected to a water drain path 297. In this embodiment, the water drain hole is positioned beyond a water level that is able to be sensed through the high level electrode.
A process of supplying water to the water tank will be explained.
The controller opens the water supply valve 282 to allow water to be supplied to the water tank. If it is identified that a water level in the water tank reaches a high level, the water supply valve 282 is closed. At this time, the water supply might be performed continuously over the high level because of errors. The over-supplied water is drained outside the dryer through the water drain hole and the water drain path, which may not result in water leakage. The errors may be, for example, failures of the water supply valve or failures of the water level sensor.
Here, although not shown in the drawing, the water drain path may be connected with an external drain pipe. Alternatively, the water drain path may be connected with the water drain path of the dryer. The water drain path typically includes a water drain pump and a water drain hose. Alternatively, the water drain path may be connected with a tub.
As a result, the water is prevented from being supplied too much because of the water tank 292 and the water drain path 297. The shutoff device according to this embodiment includes the water tank 292 and the water drain path 297.
The water held in the water tank is supplied to the steam generator 200 by an operation of a pump 291. The controller operates the pump to supply water to the steam generator in order to use steam. If the pump 291 is not operated, the water is not supplied to the steam generator 200. As a result, even if the water supply valve 282 and the water level sensor 296 are out of order, the water is prevented from being supplied to the drum too much.
If it is identified that the water level of the steam generator rises up to a preset level, the pump is off. The heater of the steam generator is turned on to heat water and steam is generated. The generated steam is supplied to the drum.
As the water inside the water tank is used, the water level goes down. Then, the electric current is not applied between the low level electrode and the common electrode. In this case, the controller opens the water supply valve 282 and the water is supplied to the water tank 292 if water has to be necessarily supplied.
A water flow sensor (not shown) may be installed at a water supply hose that allows the water tank connected with the water tap and the amount of water supplied to the water tank is sensed. The water flow sensor may be an impeller type water flow sensor that is well-known. The amount of water supplied through the water supply hose is sensed by using the rotation number of the impeller. The controller receives a signal of the water flow sensor and it closes the water supply valve if a preset amount of water is reached. If the water flow sensor is used, the water tank may not include the water level sensor. If the amount of supplied water is sensed by using the water flow sensor and the amount of water supplied to the steam generator by the operation of the pump, the amount of remaining water in the water tank may be expected. The amount of remaining water in the water tank is memorized in a memory and the memorized amount may be used to control the water supply valve.
In this embodiment, the configuration of the steam generator 200 may be omitted. In this case, the fine moisture particles may be sprayed into the drum through the nozzle 250 by using the hydraulic pressure generated by the pump. In this case, a shape of the nozzle might be varied.
The water supply device according to this embodiment includes all of the configurations both to supply fine moisture particles and steam to the drum. Of course, at this time the shape of the nozzle might be changeable.
Next, a control method of the dryer will be explained in reference to FIG. 13 to 15.
First, in reference to FIG. 13, a first embodiment of the control method will be explained.
This embodiment includes supplying the additive for smoothing the laundry to the drum in the initial part of the drying cycle, and supplying the additive for giving fragrance to the laundry in a last part of the drying cycle.
Here, an additive for smoothing and an additive for giving a fragrance to the laundry may be provided separately to be supplied to the drum. However, it is preferable that both of them are provided together on user convenience and production sake. That is, the additive includes elements for smoothing and elements for fragrance.
As mentioned above, it is preferable that the additive is supplied to the drum in the initial part of the drying cycle. That is, it is preferable that the additive is supplied to the drum in the initial part of the drying to smooth. If the drying is performed, the hot air is supplied to the drum. The hot air is high temperature enough to damage fabric of the laundry. Drying objects are tumbled in the drum or flowed to cause friction between the drying objects or between the drying objects and the drum. Because of this kind of friction, the laundry might damage.
To solve that, the additive for smoothing the laundry may be supplied and it is preferable that the additive is supplied in the initial part of the drying cycle.
Specifically, the supplying of the additive for smoothing the laundry may be performed in an initial part of the supplying of the hot air. After that, the additive for giving a fragrance to the laundry may be supplied during the supplying of the cool air.
The hot air may be supplied to the drum after the supplying of the additive. Alternatively, the supplying of the additive may be performed before or after the supplying of the cool air. Such the additive supplying and the hot air or cool air supplying may have a period in which both of the supplying of the additive for smoothing and fragrance are performed together.
That is, the supplying of the additive for smoothing the laundry may be performed in an initial part of the strong hot air supplying step and after that the supplying of the additive for fragrance is performed in the weak hot air supplying step.
If the drying cycle is performed in order of the strong hot air supplying step, the weak hot air supplying step and the cool air supplying step, the supplying of the additive for the smoothing is performed in the initial part of the strong hot air supplying step and the supplying of the additive for fragrance is performed in the cool air supplying step.
Next, in reference to FIG. 14, a second embodiment of the control method will be explained.
Here, the first drying includes a hot air supplying step and the second drying includes a cool air supplying step. Also, the first drying may include the strong hot air supplying step and the weak hot air supplying step. Alternatively, the first drying may include the strong hot air supplying step and the second drying may include the weak hot air supplying step and the cool air supplying step. In any cases, the time for the additive supplying may be identical to the time in the first embodiment.
Next, in reference to FIG. 15, a third embodiment will be explained.
In this embodiment, the additive for smoothing the laundry may be controlled to be supplied to the drum in the initial part of the drying.
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