Lg Electronics Inc.

Jae Suk Yang

Sang Doo Kim

In Haeng Cho

Hae Deog Jeong

Seong Hae Jeong

A drying machine according to the present invention includes an interface unit connected to a separate washing machine with a data communication line for receiving load information from the washing machine, a rotatable drum containing a load of wet clothes which are previously washed by the washing machine, and an air supply system coupled to the drum for supplying dry air into the drum. The machine further includes a heater coupled to the air supply system for heating the dry air, and a dryer controller generating a control signal to the heater in accordance with a set of operation values which are determined based on the load information. A method of operating a drying machine according to the present invention includes the steps of receiving load information from a separate washing machine that performs wash/dehydration cycles on a load of clothes, determining a set of optimal operation values for operating a heater on the basis of the load information where the heater heats the dry air being supplied into a drum containing the load of wet clothes, and generating a control signal to the heater in accordance with the determined optional values.

Automatic dryer control based on load information

The present invention relates to a dryness measuring device, and more particularly the dryness measuring device for sensing a dryness status of laundry in drying. The present invention is to provide an electrode sensor for sensing the dryness status of the laundry and measuring a current dryness status by a variance of a voltage which is charged in capacitor based on a variance of resistance of the electrode sensor. And, the present invention minimizes outside effect by discharging of the charged voltage of the capacitor by designated periods.

Dryness measurement device

A dryer control method provides for selection among a plurality of dryness levels so that the user may select a desired degree of dryness for any given type of laundry. The method includes steps of selecting one among a plurality of dryness levels; driving a drying unit holding laundry; sensing a value indicative of a water content of the laundry; comparing the sensed value with first and second predetermined values; measuring a time required for the sensed value to reach the second predetermined value from the first predetermined value; computing a drying time based on the measured time; and stopping the driving step upon expiration of the computed drying time, wherein the first and second predetermined values determine a reference value corresponding to the selected dryness level.

Dryer control method and apparatus using the same

An apparatus for controlling gas valves in a gas drier is provided. The apparatus includes an igniter, a closed flame detection switch and a sustaining relay. The igniter, which starts a flame, connects to a first terminal which provides a power signal with respect to a neutral terminal. The closed flame detection switch is connected between the igniter and the neutral terminal thereby receiving the power signal via the igniter. The closed flame detection switch also detects a flame by opening. The sustaining relay provides an alternative path of conduction with respect to the closed flame detection switch.

Gas drier

A drier module, for use in a drier having a drier motor and one of two heat generation devices, namely gas or electric, is an interchange module of a drier of a gas or electric type and may be connected to a drier motor and to a gas control circuit of a gas drier or to an electric heater of an electric drier. During drier assembly, the module is adaptively modified, for example, by setting a switch position according to a desired mode, i.e., the intended drier type. The module includes a selection switch for selecting one of a gas mode and an electric mode; a first connector providing a connection to the drier motor and to a first heat generation device; a second connector providing a connection to the first heat generation device and to a second heat generation device; a microprocessor, electrically connected to the first and second connectors, for detecting a presence of an error condition with respect to the selected mode of the selection switch, based on the connections of the first and second connectors; a first relay, electrically connected between the microprocessor and first connector, for controlling power to the drier motor; a second relay, electrically connected between the microprocessor and first connector, for controlling power to the one of the two heat generation devices; a power supply for providing, under control of the microcomputer, operational power for the drier motor and first and second heat generation devices; and a display for displaying a message indicating the presence of the error condition.

Growing community of inventors

Kyongsangnam-do, South Korea

Jae Suk Yang