Drying machine

Claim 2

A drying machine comprising: a) a drum constituting a drying chamber for containing clothes to be dried; b) heating means or heating air supplied to the chamber; c) means for determining a degree of dryness of the clothes in the drying chamber; d) means for detecting the temperature of the heated air; and e) control means for controlling the amount of heat supplied by the heating means, said control means being responsive to the dryness determining means and the temperature detecting means in order to maintain the heated air temperature within a predetermined temperature range when the clothes dryness reaches a first dryness value, and for controlling the heating means to supply heat intermittently when the clothes dryness reaches a second dryness value.

Claim 3

A drying machine, comprising: a) a drum constituting a drying chamber, for containing clothes to be dried; b) heating means for heating air supplied to the chamber; c) means for determining a degree of dryness of the clothes in the drying chamber; d) means for detecting the temperature of the heated air; and e) control means, responsive to the dryness determining means and the temperature detecting means, for actuating the heating means in order to maintain the heated air temperature in a predetermined temperature range when the clothes dryness reaches a first value, and for operating the heating means at a reduced power level when the clothes dryness reaches a second dryness value.

Claim 4

A drying machine, comprising: a) a drum constituting a drying chamber, for containing clothes to be dried; b) heating means for heating air supplied to the chamber; c) means for determining a degree of dryness of the clothes in the drying chamber; d) means for detecting the temperature of the heated air; and e) control means, responsive to the dryness determining means and the temperature detecting means, for actuating the heating means in order to maintain the heated air temperature in a predetermined temperature range when the clothes dryness reaches a first value, and for operating the heating means at a reduced power level when the clothes dryness reaches a second dryness value.

Claim 5

A drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the first dryness value is in a range of approximately 60 to 70% dry.

Claim 6

A drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the second dryness value is in a range of approximately 85 to 95%.

Claim 7

A drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the first dryness value is in a range of approximately 60 to 705, and the second dryness value is in a range of approximately 85 to 95% dry.

Claim 8

A drying machine according to claim 1, wherein after the degree of dryness reaches the second dryness value and the control means controls the heating means to supply heat intermittently, the temperature of the air supplied to the drying chamber gradually becomes lower.

Claim 9

A drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the heating means comprises at least two electrical heating elements; and the control means comprises means for turning off at least one of the two heating elements after the first dryness value is reached.

Claim 10

A drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the heating means generates heat by gas combustion.

Claim 11

A drying machine according to claim 1, further comprising fan means for supplying the air heated by the heating means to the drying chamber.

Claim 12

A drying machine according to claim 9, wherein the fan means includes a heat exchanger for cooling the heated air after exhaustion from the drying chamber, the temperature detecting means being located between the outside of the drum and the heat exchanger.

Claim 13

A drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the drying determining means includes two electrodes and resistance means for detecting a resistance of clothes across the detection electrodes upon rotation of the drum.

Claim 14

A drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature range is from 40 to 53° C.

Claim 15

A drying machine, comprising: a) a rotary drum having an outlet and an inlet, constituting a drying chamber, for containing clothes to be dried; b) an air duct connecting the inlet and the outlet; c) fan means, provided at a rear portion of the drum, for circulating air exhausted from the outlet to the inlet through the duct, and for exchanging heat between the exhausted air and outside air; d) heating means, located in the duct, for heating the air being supplied to the chamber through the inlet; e) two detection electrodes mounted for contacting clothes in the drum; f) detection means for detecting a degree of clothes dryness in accordance with a resistance of clothes in contact with the detection electrodes; g) means, located near the outlet, for detecting the temperature of the air exhausted from the outlet; and h) control means, responsive to the degree of dryness of clothes and the exhausted air temperature, for controlling the heating means in order to maintain the exhausted air temperature within a predetermined range after the degree of dryness reaches a first value, and for controlling the heating means to operate intermittently so that the temperature of the air supplied to the drying chamber gradually becomes lower after the degree of dryness reaches a second value.

Claim 16

A drying machine, comprising: a) a rotary drum having an outlet and an inlet, constituting a drying chamber, for containing clothes to be dried; b) an air duct connecting the inlet and the outlet; c) fan means, provided at a rear portion of the drum, for circulating air exhausted from the outlet to the inlet through the duct, and for exchanging heat between the exhausted air and outside air; d) heating means, located in the duct, for heating the air being supplied to the chamber through the inlet; e) two detection electrodes mounted for contacting clothes in the drum; f) detection means for detecting a degree of clothes dryness in accordance with a resistance of clothes in contact with the detection electrodes; g) means, located near the outlet, for detecting the temperature of the air exhausted from the outlet; and h) control means, responsive to the degree of dryness of clothes and the exhausted air temperature, for controlling the heating means in order to maintain the exhausted air temperature within a predetermined range after the degree of dryness reaches a first value, and for controlling the heating means to operate intermittently so that the temperature of the air supplied to the drying chamber gradually becomes lower after the degree of dryness reaches a second value.

Claim 17

In a drying machine for drying clothes, comprising a drum constituting a drying chamber for containing the clothes, heating means for heating air supplied to the chamber, means for determining a degree of dryness of the clothes in the drying chamber and means for detecting the temperature of the heated air, a method for controlling the heating means, comprising the steps of: actuating the heating means to maintain the heated air temperature in a predetermined temperature range when the clothes dryness reaches a first value; and operating the heating means at a reduced power level when the clothes dryness reaches a second dryness value.

Claim 18

In a drying machine for drying clothes, comprising a drum constituting a drying chamber for containing the clothes, heating means for heating air supplied to the chamber, means for determining a degree of dryness of the clothes in the drying chamber and means for detecting the temperature of the heated air, a method for controlling the heating means, comprising the steps of: actuating the heating means to maintain the heated air temperature in a predetermined temperature range when the clothes dryness reaches a first value; and operating the heating means at a reduced power level when the clothes dryness reaches a second dryness value.

Claim 19

A drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the heated air in the drying chamber does not damage synthetic fabric.

Claim 20

A drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the heating means comprises an electric element for generating heat.

Claim 21

A drying machine according to claim 10, wherein the temperature detecting means is located between the drum and the heat exchanger.

Claim 22

A drying machine according to claim 13, wherein the first value is 60 to 70% dry.

Claim 23

A drying machine according to claim 13, wherein the second value is 85 to 95% dry.