CN1711387B - Fabric article treating apparatus with safety device and controller - Google Patents

Abstract

A fabric article treating apparatus for dispensing a benefit composition through a nozzle (24) that directs the benefit composition as droplets or particles into the chamber of the fabric article drying appliance. The droplets or particles provide benefits to the fabric articles within the drying appliance. The treating apparatus includes one or more safety features, and/or it includes beneficial control concepts that enhance the effects of the benefit composition being dispensed through the nozzle.

Description

Fabric article treating device with safety device and controller

Invention field

The present invention relates generally to textile article drying device (non-restrictive example comprises garment drying apparatus) and relate to by a nozzle and will be the device that distributes " advantageous compositions " this pattern in the chamber (for example, motion or static rotating cylinder) that drop or granular " advantageous compositions " be mapped to the textile article drying device.The present invention is also open as the system of a liquid droplets or particle, these drops or particle provide beneficial effect for the textile article in the textile article drying device, wherein this system comprises one or more safety components, and/or this system comprises useful control idea, and described idea strengthens the effect by the advantageous compositions that nozzle distributed.The invention provides an optional door or lid " opening " detector, it can make advantageous compositions stop to spray, and the electric power that cuts off the high voltage source in being encapsulated in can adopt the electrostatic spray drop in system the time.An optional motion detector is provided, in utilizing each embodiment of dryer, therefore it can determine in fact whether the movable drum of dryer be in the motion, can prevent that advantageous compositions from just pushing a startup or ON-OFF (On/Off) button by (may by mistake) and coming out with regard to injected.Another is optional to be characterized as injection cycle separately, begin and finish, then be certain blanking time comprising: first injection events, during this time every during be not assigned beneficial composition, then be at least one second injection events then.If desired, can control such one second (or 3rd) injection events with " wait " predetermined condition, for example cooling cycle of the relative humidity threshold value of textile article drying device, textile article drying device temperature inside threshold value, textile article drying device etc.If desired, second (or more) injection events can carry out under the charging voltage of different electrostatic sprays, perhaps a kind of spices or other beneficial compound can be added in the inside of textile article drying device.The present invention can be used as a stand alone type (or " separation ") unit and provides, the closing structure that this unit can be fixed on the textile article drying device (for example, door, lid, hatch or the like) interior and/or outer surface and/or family expenses surface (for example wall or table top) on, the normal control system of its operation and textile article drying device is without any influencing each other.The part that the present invention also can be used as the drying device integrated control system provides, wherein features of the present invention are fully incorporated in the remainder of drying device controller, or the present invention provides as a partly integrated control system, and wherein conventional or " standard " dryer apparatus control system has an interface cable or a connector that exchanges with control device of the present invention.Control system of the present invention comprises optional parts, and when the cell voltage in the standalone unit began to weaken, it can change the power that provides to pump or motor with the compensation low-voltage.Control system of the present invention also can comprise optional parts.When the cell voltage in the standalone unit began to weaken, these parts can change the charging voltage that is applied on the electrostatic atomiser with the compensation low-voltage.

Background of invention

There has been many decades in textile article drying device such as dryer.The method that is used to handle the textile article in this type of dryer is also known in field of the present invention, although these methods are developed more a little later.It is said United States Patent (USP) 4,207, described a kind of automatic clothes dryer of routine in 683, it has been packed into one liquid has been distributed spray dispenser in the dryer rotating cylinder into.

Though the art of this patent comprises the flusher that is used for dryer, these flushers have also been controlled the integrated manipulator of whole dryer usually and have been controlled.Such unit can be set easily with new control idea and the input signal that also provides by the sensor that utilizes by some type that does not adopt as yet in the past.Equally, it will be favourable that a free-standing flusher on the closing structure that can be installed to the textile article drying device such as dryer is provided, and it can comprise some safety component, for example door sensor or motion sensor, and it can comprise some operation characteristic, an injection cycle that separates for example is provided or when cell voltage begins to weaken pump of control with the discharge capacity running of constant or change the voltage of electrostatic atomiser for different injection events.Such parts also can be used for a textile article drying device control system that is integrated into single control circuit usually.

Summary of the invention

In one embodiment of the invention, introduced a kind of stand alone type with a control module (or separation) distributor, wherein distributing nozzle is installed to the inside of a dryer, simultaneously control module is installed to the outside of dryer.Control module can be installed on any outer surface of textile article drying device, its non-restrictive example comprises: door or lid or hatch, sidewall, roof or their combination.In addition, distributing nozzle keeps being communicated with the inside of textile article drying device, and can be installed on any inner surface of textile article drying device, its non-restrictive example comprises: rear wall of door or lid or hatch, rotating cylinder, the inner chamber installed by door or the like.Can randomly discontinuous distributor of the present invention can be mounted to the individual unit in the textile article drying device in single casing or hood.In addition, can be randomly, distributor of the present invention can be integrated in the controller of textile article drying device (for example dryer) itself or it is connected to mode on the controller of dryer and the controller of dryer partly combines by a plug or by means of a COM1.

Another advantage of the present invention provides an injection apparatus that is used for the textile article drying device, and described device shows to have some safety component, additional door sensor for example, and it can stop the running of sprayer when door is opened.Described device also has a motion sensor, and in fact whether it can monitor the dryer rotating cylinder and be in the motion making before a nozzle can distribute the advantageous compositions of being concerned about.

Another advantage of the present invention provides a controller that moves with the textile article drying device, wherein the method for Zeng Qianging has been considered the injection interval that separates, or the voltage by changing electrostatic atomiser or when cell voltage begins to weaken the output by the increase pump prolong the battery life of standalone unit effectively.

Additional advantages of the present invention and other novel feature will partly be set forth in the following description, and after partly learning by following analysis or by enforcement of the present invention, will become apparent for those skilled in the art.

Obtain aforesaid and other advantage, and according to an aspect of of the present present invention, a fabric article treating system that is used for a textile article drying device is provided, it comprises: the textile article drying device with a chamber and a closing structure, described closing structure has a closed position and at least one open position, and closing structure allows to use chamber; An advantageous compositions source; A nozzle that is communicated with the chamber maintenance; Thereby one is ordered about advantageous compositions from advantageous compositions source towards nozzle advantageous compositions is ejected into distributor the chamber; Closing structure sensor and the control circuit that the starting advantageous compositions sprays, wherein when the closing structure sensor indicates enclosed construction not in the closed position, control circuit prevents that advantageous compositions is injected and comes out.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a fabric article treating system that is used for a textile article drying device is provided, it comprises: the textile article drying device with an active chamber and a closing structure, closing structure has a closed position and at least one open position, closing structure allows to use active chamber, and active chamber is moved at run duration; An advantageous compositions source; A nozzle that is communicated with the active chamber maintenance; Thereby one is ordered about advantageous compositions from advantageous compositions source towards nozzle advantageous compositions is ejected into distributor the chamber; Motion sensor and the control circuit that the starting advantageous compositions sprays, wherein when motion sensor show events chamber off-duty, control circuit prevents that advantageous compositions is injected and comes out.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a fabric article treating system that is used for a textile article drying device is provided, it comprises: the textile article drying device with a chamber and a closing structure, closing structure has a closed position and at least one open position, and closing structure allows to use chamber; An advantageous compositions source; A nozzle that is communicated with the chamber maintenance; Thereby one is ordered about advantageous compositions from advantageous compositions source towards nozzle advantageous compositions is ejected into distributor the chamber; With a control circuit, it is set to: (a) when injection events begins, by the nozzle ejection advantageous compositions; Between first inlet zone of (b) initial injection incident and between second inlet zone of injection events, make and win between inlet zone and a period of time separately between second inlet zone.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the fabric article treating system that is used for a textile article drying device is provided, it comprises: the textile article drying device with a chamber and a closing structure, described closing structure has a closed position and at least one open position, and described closing structure allows to use chamber; An advantageous compositions liquid reservoir; A nozzle that is communicated with the chamber maintenance; Thereby one is ordered about advantageous compositions from advantageous compositions source towards nozzle advantageous compositions is ejected into pump installation the chamber; The electro-motor of a primer pump device; A battery; Determine voltage sense circuit for one by the output voltage of battery generation; With a control circuit, it is set to (a) when injection events begins, by the nozzle ejection advantageous compositions; (b) the pulsewidth modulation variable output signal of a control electro-motor of generation; When (c) output voltage that produces when battery descends, improve the work period of pulsewidth modulation variable output signal, thereby make pump installation provide the advantageous compositions amount of a constant, even battery is made it can not keep its rated output voltage by partial discharge toward nozzle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a fabric article treating device is provided, it comprises: an advantageous compositions source; A nozzle that is communicated with the maintenance of advantageous compositions source; Thereby distributor that orders about advantageous compositions injection advantageous compositions from the advantageous compositions source towards nozzle; At least one safety sensor; The control circuit that sprays with a starting advantageous compositions, wherein when the indicating predetermined condition of at least one safety sensor exists, control circuit prevents that advantageous compositions is injected and comes out.

To those skilled in the art, by reading following specification and accompanying drawing, other advantages that the present invention has will become apparent.Wherein said specification and accompanying drawing are described and what show is in the preferred embodiment of the invention for the moment of implementing the best pattern of the present invention.As what will recognize that, can revise its detail aspect obvious, different and do not deviate from the present invention of the present invention.Therefore, drawing and description itself are illustrative and indefiniteness not.

The accompanying drawing summary

The accompanying drawing of introducing and form a specification part illustrates several aspect of the present invention, and is used for setting forth principle of the present invention with specification and claims.In these figure:

Fig. 1 is the perspective view according to an embodiment of the free-standing fabric article treating device of principles of construction of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the perspective view of observing from the diagonal angle of the fabric article treating device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is the front view of observing from an end of the part section of the fabric article treating device of Fig. 1, illustrates the inner casing and the outer cage that join a time-out with a flat cable to.

Fig. 4 is the front view from the unilateral observation of the part section of the inner casing part of the fabric article treating device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is some electric and block diagram mechanical part that is used for the fabric article treating device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 (comprising 6A, 6B and 6C) is the schematic diagram of electronic controller of the first of the fabric article treating device that is used for Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 comprises the circuit diagram of power supply unit for the other parts of the controller of the fabric article treating device of Fig. 1.

Diagrammatic view when Fig. 8 goes up for the door of being installed to dryer apparatus when the fabric article treating device of Fig. 1 on its part section.

Fig. 9 is the perspective view with textile article drying device of a nozzle in the rotating cylinder part that advantageous compositions is ejected into dryer, and it is constructed according to the principle of the invention.

The serve as reasons diagram of some parts that alternative embodiment stand alone type fabric article treating device according to principle of the invention structure adopted of Figure 10, wherein the entire process device is encapsulated in the independent casing or hood.

Definition

Phrase used herein " fabric article treating system " is meant a textile article drying device, and an one non-restrictive example comprises a conventional dryer and/or its modified version.Fabric article treating system also comprises a fabric article treating device, and it can be discrete with respect to the textile article drying device and/or can be collected in the textile article drying device.In addition, fabric article treating device can be integrated in the part of replacing easily of textile article drying device, and an one non-restrictive example comprises the closing structure of drying device.

" textile article " used herein (" fabric ") is meant usually with conventional washing methods or any goods of cleaning with dry-cleaning method.This term comprises following textile article, includes but not limited to: clothes, linen, curtain, clothing accessory, leather, floor covering, coverlet, towel, rag, canvas, polymer architecture or the like.This term also comprises the article of making in whole or in part with textile material, for example tote bag, furniture cover, oil skin, footwear or the like.

Phrase used herein " critical moisture content " relates to moisture, the moisture of one or more textile articles and their combination of air in the clothes drying device.

Detailed Description Of The Invention

Be the detailed description of embodiment of the present invention below, embodiment is referring to accompanying drawing.Identical parts in the wherein identical numeral view.

Referring now to the embodiment of Fig. 1,, " stand alone type " controller of common usefulness reference number 10 signs and dispenser unit (that is, as a self-contained device) are illustrated as has two main hoods (or casing) 20 and 50.In this embodiment, hood 20 plays the effect of " inner casing " that be positioned at a textile article drying device inside, and hood 50 plays the effect of " outer cage " that be positioned at textile article drying device outside simultaneously.Hood 50 can be installed on the outer surface of textile article drying device door, can replace it is installed on any outer surface, its non-restrictive example comprises: outer surface of sidewall, roof, top flap or the like comprises wall or other family expenses structure of separating with the textile article drying device.In addition, hood 20 can be installed on any inner surface of textile article drying device, embodiment includes, but are not limited to: inner surface of the inner surface of door, the rotating cylinder of textile article drying device, rear wall, top flap or the like.

Hood 50 permanently can be installed on the outer surface, or preferably be installed on the outer surface separatably.Equally, hood 20 permanently can be installed on the inner surface, or be installed on the inner surface separatably.A kind of configuration of such connection is illustrated among Fig. 8, and wherein the gate open of drying device reference number 15 commonly used indicates.

When be installed in the door inner surface on the time, for example, can construct hood 20 so that it has the outward appearance of forever being installed, making it seem in fact is the part of textile article drying device by actual configuration but do not need it on the door of " being imbedded " dryer unit (or textile article drying device of other type).On the other hand, hood 20 may more loosely be installed in the next door of door, or is installed in the inner surface next door of door, just as one in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1-4 10 of the vertical gate " suspension " that installs.It being understood that term used herein " door " represents a movable closing structure that makes internal capacity that the people can use dryer apparatus and any physical form that in fact can use like this.Door " closing structure " can be hatch of on the dryer apparatus upper surface one lid or some type or the like.

It being understood that the fabric " processing " that can easily the present invention be used for other type installs, have more than to be limited in " dryer ".In the scope of document of the present invention, term " dryer " or " drying device " or " textile article drying device " comprise the device that can maybe cannot carry out real functions/drying, but can comprise the processing fabric, need not to attempt to come dry fabric itself according to letter.As mentioned above, term " dryer " or " drying device " or " textile article drying device " can comprise " dry-cleaning " method or device, and it can maybe cannot comprise drying steps according to letter.Term " fabric " product dried device used herein " also be meant the pattern that any fabric treating unit of the moving air that utilizes the one or more textile articles of directive, its non-restrictive example comprise dryer and improved.For example, such device comprises family expenses and the commercial drier that is used for residence, self-service laundry, hotel and/or industrial environment.

Except above-mentioned, should be noted in the discussion above that some drying device also comprises a hothouse (or " rotating cylinder "), it can not or rotate according to the letter motion when turning round arid cycle when drying device operates in.Some such dryers adopts moving air hothouse of flowing through, and this chamber does not move when taking place arid cycle.Such an embodiment dryer has the hatch board of a door or other type, and the people can be filled in clothes to be dried in the chamber.Under many circumstances, can be on the upper bar of some type of hothouse inside " suspension " clothing.After this finishes, close door (or hatch board), dryer can begin its functions/drying.An injection cycle can take place in such unit, then should be carefully to guarantee that advantageous compositions is good in the inner distribution of drying chamber, avoiding some fabric to bear seldom (or not having) advantageous compositions, and other fabric bears the advantageous compositions of very big concentration.

Should be noted in the discussion above that treating apparatus 10 can be with for example contacted method of grounded part by spring, patch, magnet, screw, arcing and corona discharge or other attaching parts and textile article drying device and/or with the method ground connection of dissipation residual charge.A kind of nonrestrictive method of dissipation electric charge is to adopt ionization parts, for example the one group of metal wire that extends away from power supply.Under many circumstances, the textile article drying device such as dryer has a porcelain facing.A kind of method of ground connection is the porcelain facing ground connection of thrusting the textile article drying device that a pin in nonconducting enamel paint will ground connection by employing.The another kind of method of the non-conductive surfaces ground connection of textile article drying device comprised use a metal sheet that is used to provide capacitive discharge, it is between textile article drying device and fabric article treating device.The typical thickness of such plate is about 5 microns to about 5000 microns.

In Fig. 1, visible emissions nozzle 24 and " door sensor " 22 on inner casing 20, it is also included within an interior liquid reservoir 26 that holds advantageous compositions of internal capacity of inner casing 20.Liquid reservoir 26 can be used to hold advantageous compositions.Discharge nozzle 24 can play the effect of fluid atomizing nozzle, and employing or pressure atomization or the same optional high voltage source of company (Fig. 1 is not shown) play the effect of electrostatic atomiser together.A suitable embodiment of fluid atomizing nozzle is the pressure eddy formula spray nozzle of DU-3813 for the model that the Seaquist Dispensing by Illinois Cary produces.Advantageous compositions can comprise a kind of fluidic substance, for example liquid or gaseous compound, and perhaps it can comprise solid chemical compound of a granular form, for example powder.In fact liquid reservoir 26 can be virtually any size and shape, and takes the pattern as bag shape or tubular; Comprise the situation of drinking water for advantageous compositions wherein, perhaps liquid reservoir can only be a domestic use of water pipeline.

Inner casing 20 and outer cage 50 common (but not necessarily always) carry out electronic communication.In the embodiment of Fig. 1, a flat cable 40 (being also referred to as " band cable " sometimes) extends between two casings 20 and 50, and along the inner surface of textile article drying device door 15, on the top of door 15 and along the outer surface of door 15 advance downwards (for example referring to Fig. 8).As mentioned above, casing 20 and 50 can be connected on the surface of textile article drying device except door 15.Casing 50 can be fixed on any outer surface that comprises resident family's wall.

Fig. 2 shows the same fabric article treating device of observing from the diagonal angle 10, and wherein outer cage 50 is equiped with an ON-OFF switch 56.In Fig. 2 flat cable 40 still as seen, and the inner surface of the inner casing 20 that can see in Fig. 2 can be seen a fixed band 21.An end of also visible fixed band in Fig. 1.Certainly, can arrange inner casing 20 is fixed to other layout on the cloth drier door 15 (or other inner surface) and does not deviate from principle of the present invention.

Referring now to Fig. 3,, it illustrates fabric article treating device 10, makes liquid reservoir 26 can be seen as the internal capacity of inner casing 20.In outer cage 50, can see a Battery pack 52 and a printed circuit board (PCB) that has electronic component 54.To go through the electronic component of an embodiment below.It being understood that the present invention can adopt any power source, comprises standard household circuit voltage and even solar energy.If wish device 10 is easy to carry about with one, can adopt battery, yet can provide any suitable power supply adaptor AC power to be converted to the suitable DC voltage of the electronic component that is used on the printed circuit board (PCB) 54 or dc source is converted (comprising battery or solar panel) to the suitable DC voltage of the electronic component that is used on the printed circuit board (PCB) 54.

Referring now to Fig. 4,, it illustrates some other hardware unit according to inner casing 20.In the embodiment of Fig. 4, discharge nozzle 24 plays the effect of an electrostatic atomiser, and thereby by adopting an electric lead that in this view, does not show to be connected with a high voltage source 28.For safety, comprised a quick-break switch 34, so that can close high voltage source 28 rapidly when needing.The electro-motor 32 of a visible pump 30 and a correspondence in Fig. 4.No matter be that discharge nozzle 24 only produces pressure atomization or adopts a high voltage source 28 to produce electrostatic spray, all adopt the pumping installations of some type.

The name of submitting on April 17th, 2003 is called patent application, the United States serial 10/418 of the common transfer of " Fabric Article TreatingMethod and Apparatus ", 595 have described a kind of method that is used to handle textile article, and this method has adopted the charged composition that distributes by a discharge nozzle.

Fig. 5 provides some electric and structure chart mechanical part that is encapsulated in the fabric article treating device 10 of constructing according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, be provided with high voltage source 28 in inner casing 20, it will be used for making the fluid with distributing by discharge nozzle 24 charged, therefore make it become an electrostatic nozzle system.Inner casing 20 adopts a general body or hood to hold required device in the drying device, and it being understood that such parts will stand higher relatively temperature usually during the processing cycle of drying device.Therefore, (but not necessarily always) is installed in a different position with sensitiveer electronic component usually, for example on the outer cage 50.

Flat cable 40 is with in some command signal and the electric energy input inner casing 20, and also the sensor from be installed in inner casing 20 receives the signal of telecommunication and those sensor signals are sent back outer cage 50.Power control signal is sent to high voltage source 28 along circuit 70 by quick-break switch 34.According to by the selected control method type of the designer of fabric article treating device 10, this signal can comprise the pulse voltage of constant DC voltage, constant alternating voltage, variable DC voltage, variable AC voltage or some type.

In one embodiment, signal 70 is a variable DC voltage, and along with this voltage raises, the voltage value of the output of high voltage source 28 also will increase, high pressure is sent on the nozzle 24 or is sent in the liquid reservoir 26 along being connected to lead 39 (for example, electric wire) on the electrode 38.Then, the voltage that is added on the electrode 38 will be transmitted on the advantageous compositions.Can randomly can adopt the DC high-voltage power supply of a constant output voltage rather than the variable output voltage power supply 28 of exemplary.

By after charged, it will pass the inlet that a pipe or groove 42 advance to pump 30 at the advantageous compositions of liquid reservoir 26 inside, and after this, composition is with pressurized and pass delivery side of pump along another pipe (or groove) 44 and advance to discharge nozzle 24.For being used for the present invention,, can easily dispose the actual particulars of kind of the electro-motor 32 of the kind of kind, pump 30 of used pipeline and driving pump for the almost pressure and the traffic requirement of any kind.Also can easily dispose the voltage and the usefulness of requirement that flows of the electro-motor 32 of pressure required in the outlet that is provided at pump 30 and flow for the present invention.In fact, can such or such form adopt pump and efficient apparatus in the present invention lectures scope of the incompatible generation of electric motor groups of any model, or as described belowly adopt an independently pump (that is, do not have electro-motor coupled).

The pump that should be noted in the discussion above that certain model does not require independent input and output circuit or the pipeline that is connected on it, peristaltic pump for example, and wherein pumping action is in passing on the continuous pipe of discharge opening that a water inlet extended out and continued across pump.This layout especially is of value to for the fluid of the lotus static that aspirates towards discharge nozzle 24 or particle to be used, because pipeline can make pump and charged advantageous compositions electric insulation.Also should be noted that and to adopt alternative pump installation if desired, for example spring-actuated pumping mechanism.A non-limiting example of suitable peristaltic is 10/30 peristaltic pump, its can be easily available from the Thomas Industries of Kentucky State Louisville.

The control signal kind that is used for controlling electro-motor 32 can change according to the designing requirement of device 10, and this type of signal will be advanced with control motor 32 along an electric lead 72 by means of flat cable 40.If motor 32 is a DC variable-speed motor, can adopt variable " stable " DC voltage so, wherein voltage value is big more, and the rotating speed of motor is big more.In one embodiment, the signal of telecommunication of advancing along lead 72 can be pulsewidth modulation (PWM) signal, and it is controlled with a microprocessor or a microcontroller.Certainly, the also available discrete logic control that comprises simulation electronic component of such pulse-width signal.

Fabric article treating device 10 can strengthen function by utilizing certain sensor, and embodiment includes but not limited to door (or lid) sensor 22, motion sensor 36, humidity sensor 46 and/or temperature sensor 48.Door/cover sensor 22 can be the photoelectron device such as photo-coupler or light input pickup, for example phototransistor or photodiode.When opening the door/lid of drying device, door sensor 22 will change state then, and will be along the electric lead different voltage of 82 outputs or the current level that lead to the controller the outer cage 50 from door sensor 22.Can be used as a safety device with the discharge spray of quick interruption from nozzle 24 radiation.Even the control system of Fig. 5 is integrated in total " routine " control system of drying device, also can adopt such door sensor 22, drying device has its oneself door sensor usually, for example closes the rotation rotating cylinder of dryer when door is opened.In this case, door sensor 22 can play the effect of standby (or second) door sensor for inside " original " sensor of the dryer of closing rotating cylinder.An embodiment who can be used as a door/cover sensor is that the Part No. that the Panasonic of Osaka, Japan produces is the phototransistor of the NPN of PNA1801L.

The alternative configuration that is used to provide " door " sensor is to adopt pressure-sensitive conductor in flat cable 40, and the electrical characteristic of this pressure-sensitive conductor therein door be in first state opened and wherein door be between second state of closing and change.In fact such circuit can play as an effect with the deformeter that changes of variation of contact pressure, and can make a low pressure bias current flow through pressure-sensitive conductor so that the output signal that control circuit was detected of processing means 10 to be provided.So pressure-sensitive door sensor in cable 40 can not need the light sensor described in the aforementioned paragraphs, perhaps can be used to finish the operation of aforesaid light sensor.

The sensor for the treatment of apparatus 10 available another kind of types of the present invention is a motion sensor 36, and whether it can detect the textile article drying device and in fact be in use.These parts help " stand alone type " treating apparatus with the control separate operation of textile article drying device, and its non-restrictive example comprises those sensors shown in Fig. 1-4.For example, if start the ON-OFF switch 56 for the treatment of apparatus 10, however textile article drying device itself is not in running order, prevents that so any advantageous compositions of nozzle 24 dischargings is for preferred.Use a motion sensor 36, treating apparatus 10 can determine that the textile article drying device is actually and turn round or do not turning round that particularly the drying chamber at dryer has under the situation of movable drum.Such motion sensor 36 can be along signal of telecommunication of a lead 80 output, with signal feedback in the controller that is installed in the outer cage 50.

Vibration and motion sensor switch that the ASSEMtech EuropeLtd. that an embodiment of motion sensor is New Jersey Clifton produces with model C W1600-3 supply.The motion sensor that can be used for another kind of type of the present invention adopts a light source that (infrared ray) light is invested a surface, and can be by returning that the surperficial relative motion of light intensity and/or frequency detecting.Actual speed data if desired, this type of sensor can be measured it.

Whether another embodiment of motion sensor is in the motion with the rotation rotating cylinder of determining dryer for the sensor (for example microphone) that can detect sound wave.When dryer does not move, ambient noise will be in first level (is unit with the decibel), and when the movable drum setting in motion of dryer, total sound will be elevated to second level.Microphone (or acoustic frequency sensor of some other type) can detect these sound and export the signal of telecommunication of representing primary sound.This signal of telecommunication (for example advancing along the conducting path on Fig. 5 80) can be sent to system controller, analyzes its audio level (for example being unit with the decibel) herein and/or also analyzes its frequency content.In the exemplary device of using for the present invention, the signal of telecommunication will with compare the ambient noise when this threshold value is not moved greater than movable drum, but its overall level when move (added rotating cylinder roll) less than movable drum when a predetermined threshold.

System designer between " motion sound level " and " non-motion sound level ", should have quite wide difference, so that can be selected a secure threshold.Yet, an adjustable threshold value can be provided, for example, suppose to exist drying device is installed in the environmental condition possibility of the background in a commercial self-service laundry for example that may comprise noisy noise and excitement.If desired, determine the threshold dector of relevant existing sound level can comprise an independent voltage comparator circuit; Perhaps the signal of telecommunication on the path 80 can be switched on an A/D (simulation is to the numeral) converter and also therefore convert binary numeral to.After signal was converted into digital value, if desired, microcontroller 60 available software were carried out any appropriate signal analysis.If necessary or desired, this can comprise frequency and amplitude signal analysis the two, although may need more powerful (for example, " faster " or may a resolution higher) A/D converter if carry out frequency analysis.

Another circuit that can be applicable to the audio signal on the path 80 is a frequency filter.For example, for whether the movable drum of determining dryer is in the motion, can comprise that a high-pass filter or low pass filter in fact can uncared-for frequency ranges to filter out.This type of wave filter is typically very cheap and can comprise seldom parts.An advantage of frequency filter is " upstream " that it can be placed on the processing unit that comprises A/D converter, thereby eliminate noise or other harmful audio frequency component, these harmful audio frequency components may produce negative influence to the decision of having been done by the threshold value comparator.

Should be noted in the discussion above that by the detected audio frequency of motion sensor 36 (form that for example, is microphone) and need not be in people's the auditory frequency range.For the present invention, term " audio frequency " can comprise ultrasonic (being that frequency is higher than human recognizable scope) and/or infrasonic sound (being that frequency is lower than human recognizable scope).

Except top " sound transducer " (for example microphone) purposes, audio sensor also can be used to detect the dissimilar motion in the textile article drying device.As mentioned above, be not that all textile article drying devices comprise that all an active chamber is as the rotation rotating cylinder.Some textile article drying device is only towards their " target " (clothing that for example wears or the like) blowing, except a pressure fan or fan drive (warm sometimes or heat) wind, without any the mechanical movement of other type.The noise that audio sensor can detect such air movement or may be produced by pressure fan or fan.In addition, air flow switch also can detect such air movement.Therefore, the used term " motion detector " of file of the present invention will comprise air flow switch and/or microphone (or the like), when such textile article drying device operation only comprised air movement, whether it can detect a textile article drying device that does not move was in running.

Has a movable drum for example under the situation of conventional dryer at the textile article drying device, motion sensor 36 provides safe effect, unless, treat not to be allowed in fact spray by the composition of nozzle 24 dischargings because motion sensor 36 can detect the actual motion of dryer rotating cylinder.This can prevent that children and even some negligent adult from pushing " startup " switch (or ON-OFF switch 56) of the standalone unit of constructing according to the present invention at first, by pushing that switch spray is dripped by nozzle 24 ejections separately again then.

Certainly, if the control system for the treatment of apparatus 10 is integrated in the remainder of " traditional " total control circuit of supplying with the textile article drying device itself (if perhaps the textile article drying device type of not moving for drying chamber wherein), then do not need motion sensor.So integrated textile article drying device control system is in service with feeling naturally whether the textile article drying device is in.Yet in so integrated control system, as a safety back-up device, it is desirable that motion sensor can remain.

If motion sensor 36 is the sensors that detect sound rather than detect mechanical movement, so after its entry into service, it can determine more quickly whether textile article drying device such as the rotating cylinder of dryer slows down or stop.Of great use, wherein the dryer " working time " that sets of user quite short (intentionally or by mistake) makes the injecting time of nozzle 24 in fact may be set to the time longer than the running working time of dryer under following situation for this.If there is not the motion sensor of some type, the control circuit of dryer (especially for free-standing spraying system) will be tending towards the continuous injection advantageous compositions, even the rotating cylinder of dryer has stopped or having begun slowing down.Can adopt any suitable motion sensor to prevent continuous injection; Yet can detect at the mechanical movement detector before a kind of like this variation of dryer running status, audio sensor can pick out the deceleration regime of dryer rotating cylinder.

Can supply the another kind of sensor of the usefulness of fabric article treating device 10 of the present invention is humidity sensor 46, it can be used to control the spray amount of dripping that is given off by nozzle 24, and also can be used to determine in the work period that injection events should take place rational ambient condition.In addition, this humidity sensor can be used to keep feasible smoothing wrinkle and/or other beneficial effect that obtains the best of humidity of a regulation by the distribution of control advantageous compositions.To at length be discussed below this, yet can use just much of that with the present invention as long as say a lot of dissimilar humidity sensors, comprise the variable-conductance sensor, for example the model of being produced by the Honeywell of Illinois Freeport is the sensor of HIH-3610-001, although can adopt any sensor of HIH-3610 series.

Humidity sensor 46 will provide an output signal along an electric lead 84 of the controller that leads to outer cage 50.If humidity sensor 46 is a variable-conductance (or variable resistor) device purely, the interface circuit of some type will be essential to provide some bias current or bias magnetic voltage to produce an output signal (being curtage) so, it can output to controller (for example, referring to the electronic circuit on Fig. 3 printed circuit board (PCB) 54) on the lead 84.

Another sensor that can be used for treating apparatus 10 of the present invention is a temperature sensor 48, for example exports the sensor of an analog signal along the electric lead 86 that leads to the controller in the outer cage 50.(should be noted in the discussion above that some temperature sensing device has universal serial bus with the transmission digital output signal, rather than the output aanalogvoltage.) for a lot of control assemblies for the treatment of apparatus 10, temperature sensor 48 is not to be essential, yet the internal temperature of drying device can be used to determine the suitable environmental condition of some injection events generation, if particularly in " cooling " of drying device during the cycle, " finally " injection events of the advantageous compositions in the liquid reservoir 26 will take place.To go through this below.In addition, also temperature sensor 48 can be moved normal indicator as drying device, if drying device also is not warmed up to predetermined minimum temperature, so its heating element heater (or heater) may work bad, and if under the sort of situation advantageous compositions do not eject then may be better.

The critical piece of outer cage 50 typically comprises electronic circuit 54 and power supply 52.For example, if power supply 52 comprises the four joint D-cell batteries that are connected in series, then will provide+6 volts of DC voltages to the one group of dc source that indicates with reference number 58 usually.Fig. 6 A-6C and 7 schematic diagrames that provided will show these power supplys 58 in detail, yet only for purpose is discussed, the control circuit in will hypothesis outer cage 50 needs more than one dc source.One of dc source voltage provides the energy of high voltage source 28 by means of the electric lead 70 that passes flat cable 40.Another output voltage is provided for microcontroller 60, and in the exemplary shown in Fig. 6 A-6C, it requires one+3.3 volts dc source.In the exemplary of Fig. 6 A-6C, adopted a digital analog converter (DAC) 62, and required one+5 volts dc source by the device that AnalogDevices provided (Part No. AD 5301) of Massachusetts Norwood.All these power supplys are provided by dc source 58 " group ".

Referring now to Fig. 6 A-6C,, the parts that can be used to control treating apparatus are microcontroller 60.The microprocessor that the Microchip that a kind of suitable microcontroller 60 is Arizona State Chandler produces with Part No. PIC16LF876-04/P also can easily adopt other microcontroller of being produced by different manufacturers certainly.Microprocessor 60 comprises that plate carries random-access memory (ram), plate carries flash memory, and it comprises that the impermanency memory element of electrically programmable and the plate of analog and digital signal carry the input and output circuit.Microcontroller 60 also can use with a crystal clock oscillator, although if desired, an also available RC circuit replaces as clock circuit.Clock circuit provides operation microcontroller 60 required timing clock pulse.The PIC16LF876 microcontroller also has a serial port, and it can adopt a RS-232 communication line to be connected on the optional programmer interface.

It being understood that in fact microprocessor 60 can be the microprocessor or the microcontroller circuit of commercially available any kind, or having or do not have plate carries RAM, ROM or numeral and Simulation with I/O, and do not deviate from principle of the present invention.In addition, control treating apparatus 10 might not need sequence processor, adopts a parallel processor architecture or adopts a logical states machine architecture yet can replace.In addition, microcontroller 60 can be integrated into a special IC (ASIC) that can comprise a lot of other logic elements that are used for various functions, and according to the model of the treating apparatus 10 that will be sold to client, such function is optional.Change model features, when adopting same hardware for each unit, the manufacturer only needs the program according to the concrete parameter establishment ASIC (or the plate of microcontroller carries ROM) of that specific model.

Also should be understood that, can adopt the discrete digital logic to replace the microprocessor or the micro controller unit of any kind, or even adopt analog control circuit to come together to control timed events together with voltage comparator and simulation timer and make decision based on the incoming level of the various sensors for the treatment of apparatus 10 installings.

Fig. 6 A-6C also comprises the reset switch of an optional SW1 of being denoted as.Such reset switch may not need for a consumer apparatus.ON-OFF switch 56 is connected in the I/O input of microcontroller 60.Many other inputs are offered microcontroller, comprise door sensor 22, it is described as an optical pickocff that a signal is provided along lead 82 at Fig. 6 A-6C.Motion sensor 36 is exported a signal to microcontroller 60 along conducting path 80.Other input of not describing on Fig. 6 A-6C can comprise the analog input separately of temperature and humidity sensor.

Microcontroller 60 is also controlled some output, comprises that transistor converts signal to higher voltage and bigger current drives motor 32 along pulsewidth modulation (PWM) signal of the driving transistors Q3 of lead 72.The flow through shift circuit of a transistor Q4 and Q5 of other numeral output of microcontroller 60, its with signal from 3.3 volts logic levels be displaced to+5 volts logic level to be to control DAC 62.As mentioned above, according to the state of these signals, the output of DAC 62 will be an analog signal along conducting path 70, the output voltage size of its control high-voltage DC power supply.Similarly, as described above, all can not need this DAC 62 in Lik-Sang product unit, especially when being provided, determine that constant VD will be preferred (referring to Fig. 7) by high-voltage DC power supply 28.This can be determined by system designer.

Microcontroller 60 is also exported the visual detector that two control signals are given two light emitting diodes with two kinds of different colours.In this exemplary embodiment, used light emitting diode is green and red.Output signal along conducting path 74 drives a solid-state transistor Q1, and when needs, it will connect green light emitting diode.Another output signal along conducting path 76 drives a solid-state transistor Q2, and it provides electric current to drive red light emitting diodes.Red and green LED all is a part of using the independent bi-color device of reference number 64 signs usually.When needs, will show green glow or show ruddiness to the user.Equally, two light emitting diodes can be switched on simultaneously, and it will produce the recognizable yellow of user.

As a non-limiting example how using dual-colored LED 64, for fabric article treating device 10, stable green can be represented " ON " signal.For example, if motion sensor 36 is distinguished the motion in the dryer, produce enough vibrations and activate motion sensor 36 itself, green light will glimmer so.This can be the normal condition of using treating apparatus 10.During " injection events ", can all switch on to red and green LED, thereby show yellow color.This can notify user's nozzle 24 to scatter out spray to drip.If door is opened, LED 64 can show redness so.If cell voltage drops to below the predetermined threshold, dual-colored LED 64 can be launched the recognizable flicker ruddiness of user so.These only are the embodiment that possible indicate of various duties.Versicolor color stable or passage of scintillation light depends on system designer fully and has very big flexibility, also belongs to instruction scope of the present invention simultaneously.Also have much other methods that job information is offered the user, comprise that LCD shows or a plurality of independent lamp or light emitting diode, and so alternative method belongs to scope of the present invention.

Referring now to Fig. 7,, it has described power circuit 58 in detail very much.Battery can be used to drive the voltage-stablizer U6 of one+3.3 volts of dc source rails of output.In this embodiment, adjuster is an integrated circuit chip that model is LP2985, and it can be available from the National Semiconductor of California Santa Clara.Adopt another voltage regulator chip U5 to provide+5 volts of rails from one+12 volts supply voltages, it is another LP2985 adjuster device (equally available from National Semiconductor).Fig. 7 has also described a kind of supercharging switching mode voltage-stablizer, it adopts+12 volts of dc output power voltages and a switching mode voltage regulator chip U7, switching mode voltage regulator chip U7 is an integrated circuit chip, and model is the LM2586 device, and also available from National Semiconductor.This type of voltage regulator chip also can be available from other semiconductor manufacturers.Boost pressure controller indicates with reference number 28 usually, and it is called as high voltage source in accompanying drawing early.Output voltage is positioned at the node place with reference number 39 indication, and on behalf of electric lead, this high pressure is sent to make in the liquid reservoir 26 or electrode 38 that the advantageous compositions at nozzle 24 places charges.Fig. 7 also shows a solid-state relay U9 that the electric current of the high voltage source rail (that is, lead 39) that is derived from cell voltage directly is provided.

Fig. 8 has roughly shown the approximate location of some parts of a kind of free-standing embodiment of fabric article treating device 10 of the present invention.As mentioned above, electronic circuit 54 and battery 52 are positioned at outer cage 50 inside, and it is electrically connected to one and transmits power supply and on the flat cable 40 of the input/output signal between outer cage 50 and the inner casing 20.

Being encapsulated in the inner casing 20 is liquid reservoir 26, pump 30, electro-motor 32, high voltage source 28, discharge nozzle 24 and various sensor, for the treating apparatus 10 of specific model, can comprise or not comprise sensor.Described the electric lead 39 that high pressure is sent to nozzle 24, and this is a kind of configuration that can be replaced high pressure is sent to liquid reservoir 26 by employing alternatively.Illustrate the pipeline 42 of pump intake, and the pipeline 44 from delivery side of pump that advantageous compositions is provided to nozzle 24.Should be noted in the discussion above that in instruction scope of the present invention high voltage source 28 is strict optional; If the spray drop and grain of launching from nozzle 24 is not by static on the lotus, so in the inner casing 20 inner high voltage sourcies that just do not need.

Fig. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment for the present invention's usefulness, and it has described a textile article drying device that indicates with reference number 110 usually.In this pattern of the present invention, the controller shown in the free-standing embodiment of earlier drawings is integrated in the electronic control system of drying device 110 now.In this layout, do not need motion sensor probably, although for the particular model of the integrated electronic control system of a drying device 110, if want to know some information, can still use it.Illustrate a door 15 among Fig. 9, it uses the normal point of drying device 110 interior drum volume for the user.Nozzle 24 is used for advantageous compositions is sprayed in the drum area, and wherein rotating cylinder indicates with reference number 114 usually.A carrier pipe 44 is sent into advantageous compositions in the nozzle 24 by control valve 120, and if desired, it can have an ON/OFF button 56.

Figure 10 illustrates a common alternative free-standing embodiment of the present invention that indicates with reference number 150.Parts shown in Figure 10 comprise 26, optional charged parts 39 of a liquid reservoir (or chamber) (for example electrode or give liquid reservoir with high-voltage transmission or be transferred to other type of electrical lead of nozzle), discharge nozzle 24, a pump installation 30 and a Battery pack 52.An electronic printing circuit board 54 is provided, and it typically comprises the control circuit of a microcontroller or other type.Typically with one or more sensor package in the such device shown in reference number 129, and can comprise a pressure sensor, door sensor 22, motion sensor 36, humidity sensor 48 and/or a temperature sensor 48.In this embodiment 150, all parts are encapsulated in the casing, and whole unit is positioned at a textile article drying device inside, for example see in the conventional dryer in the consumer family.

The source that it being understood that the used electric energy of the present invention can much different modes provide.For example, can use battery (or battery pack), battery pack 52 as described above.Yet, can replace and use standard circuit voltage, for example the 120VAC single-phase electricity of 60Hz; Perhaps in Europe, line voltage distribution is likely the 220VAC of 50Hz.For some device, more rare energy source can be provided, for example comprise the solar panel of photocell or light-sensitive cell.

If used pressure sensor 129, then it can be arranged on advantageous compositions is sent in the path 44 of nozzle 24, and can use it to determine harmful pressure state in the path then.If nozzle 24 stops up terribly, for example pressure sensor detects in this path 44 and demonstration to be had a back pressure so.If pressure is increased to harmful level-can show this adverse condition (if wherein hold fire, circuit or pipe may break) for any reason-pressure sensor 129, and controller may determine shutdown system undesiredly.If desired, can adopt a pressure switch to replace pressure transducer.Note, in any embodiment of the present invention, can comprise such pressure sensor.

" unit shell " standalone unit 150 of Figure 10 can be packed this paper into according to described all the Electrical and Electronic elements of Fig. 5-7, comprises any optional parts, for example high voltage source and only be used for some sensor of particular configuration of the present invention.Unless provide dissimilar power supplys, with a needs Battery pack 52 as shown in figure 10.

The flat cable (for example flat cable on Fig. 1 40) that can not need to prolong transmits the signal of telecommunication to the electronic controller of printed circuit board (PCB) 54 and from its transmission signal, although will typically use the electric lead of some type in 150 inside, unit of one for that purpose.Yet, can provide an optional door sensor as flat cable (or the cable of other form or electric wire), be similar to the above described door sensor of " two-shipper shell " embodiment for Fig. 1-4.This optional door sensor can comprise a pressure-sensitive conductor that is hung on the cloth drier door, and can show to have therein first state that door is opened and the electric characteristic that wherein changes between pent second state of door.If the position situation of door is useful to the device designer, then so pressure-sensitive door sensor can provide a door open/closed signal.

Another optional parts of unit shell standalone unit 150 provide a time delay cycle activation member.For example, when the user wished to bring into operation the dryer of a routine, the user can open the door of dryer and push ON-OFF switch (Figure 10 is not shown), closes the door of dryer then.Electronic controller 54 can rely on not motion of dryer rotating cylinder (using motion sensor 36) to prevent direct injection delivery nozzle 24, or an optional timer can be added in the controller 54, before attempting to eject advantageous compositions by nozzle 24 " wait " several seconds.

Goods fabric treating unit 110 and fabric article treating device 150 include some safety component, for example are used for interrupting a door sensor of an injection events when the door of textile article drying device has been opened.For the treating apparatus that uses an optional electrostatic atomiser, such door sensor also can be used to interrupt the electric energy of high voltage source.Also can provide a motion sensor as another safety component, and will be favourable for a free-standing control module (for example the unit 150) that may not have other method to determine whether the rotating cylinder of textile article drying device is in the motion as mentioned above.

Some further feature of the present invention provides the performance that strengthens, for example wherein adopted between more than one inlet zone, and the situation that has adopted " interval that separates " of injection specifically, wherein first injection events begin and finish, then before second injection events begins, through a certain period blanking time.Under a kind of like this situation, in dryer, to treat can arrange like this by the advantageous compositions that nozzle 24 distributes, promptly most of composition is assigned with away during first injection events, for example 80% of total amount will be assigned with away during specific arid cycle.Remaining 20% some injected going out late, in fact it can occur in the time of will stopping arid cycle, for example during the dry incident cooling cycle in (or cycle).This may be useful for the smoothing wrinkle step, and wherein key is that the advantageous compositions of correct number is with correct rate-allocation.It being understood that drying device can adopt more injection events (that is, more than two injection events) and do not deviate from principle of the present invention.

One of other parameter that may influence the smoothing wrinkle method can be the humidity of clothing, and it can be determined by utilizing humidity sensor humidity sensor 46 as shown in Figure 5.If the advantageous compositions that is sent on the dry fabric under very fast speed is too many, on clothing, may forms moist spot and may produce wrinkle, because too much moisture and produced folding line from the pressure of other clothes product.Conversely, if when fabric is still moist, transmit advantageous compositions or on the drying thing advantageous compositions be released too slowly, the advantageous compositions folding line on the textile article that just can not relax effectively so.The change of the type of useful load, textile article drying device, fabric component and drying device drum unit interior humidity and temperature all has certain influence to the effect of smoothing wrinkle step.Such change can for example humidity sensor and one have control and distribute the controller of ability of the duration (during this period, advantageous compositions is assigned with to obtain best wrinkle improvement effect) of speed, initial time that injection events begins and injection events effectively to manage by adopting right sensors.In addition, although for example softening being preferably under the high humility of other fabric beneficial effect taken place by (making softening activating substance can be dispersed in effectively on the wet fabric), under different humidity levels, other fabric beneficial effect can be optimized.

A beneficial effect that uses humidity sensor is that such sensor can be used to determine when reach " critical moisture content " in the textile article drying device.Second injection events can drop to below the critical moisture content in relative humidity and begin after about 10%.This available humidity sensor 46 detects.Generally speaking, in this case, first injection events stopped before second injection events begins for a long time.Yet if the textile article drying device is set to very little useful load, determining second injection events when control system (together with the input information of humidity sensor) will may still take place between first inlet zone at first.Under the sort of situation, there is no need to exist wherein spacer segment time of taking place (that is, in first and second injection events, exist overlapping) without any injecting step.

In the present invention, the input information of humidity sensor can be used to determine " correctly " time of an injection events of starting (or beginning).Such " correctly " time can be used as an absolute control variables, perhaps when controller is determined injection events of starting (or beginning) or when may or even stop an injection events, it can use with other used systematic parameter of controller.

In a kind of method of operation of the present invention, when the relative humidity of textile article drying device inside greater than 40% the time, treating apparatus can begin first injection events.For some fabric or for some drying means or for some composition that will eject by nozzle 24, when the relative humidity in the drum volume of textile article drying device begins first injection events for preferred greater than 60% the time.

In the another kind of method of operation of the present invention, when the relative humidity in the textile article drying device drum volume begins second injection events less than 40% the time for preferred.For some fabric or for some drying means or in order to be used on some advantageous compositions that to eject by nozzle 24, when the relative humidity in the textile article drying device drum volume begins second injection events less than 20% the time for preferred, or when relative humidity be preferred less than 10% the time.

The another kind of sensor that can be used to improve performance is a temperature sensor, temperature sensor 48 for example shown in Figure 5.If adopt the injection method between separate zones as mentioned above, then temperature sensor 48 can determine when that the textile article drying device has entered its cooling cycle, and the cooling cycle typically will occur in the latter stage in whole fabric treating cycle.Under many circumstances, it is useful waiting in beginning that the cooling cycle begun before second injection events, after will occurring in first injection events on the incident surface and having begun and stop, and after having taken place the blanking time that also occurs in a certain period, during this period, carry out injection at all.Yet, press and the similar fashion about humidity sensor discussed above, if the user of textile article drying device has selected very little useful load, then first injection events and second injection events may be overlapping, so just there is not the injecting step between " real " separate zones, because first injection events did not also stop before the time of beginning second injection events.Therefore, can not exist in the interval of at all not spraying the blanking time of taking place therebetween.Temperature sensor also can play the effect (for example, injection is just started only reaching a predetermined temperature at dryer) of safety device.

When using high voltage source 28, the performance characteristics of another enhancing of the present invention is: if desired, the voltage that may change electrostatic spray is to regulate the different moisture levels situation in the textile article drying device.When began arid cycle, advantageous compositions can begin to spray under the voltage of about 4-6kV, and it typically will occur in humidity when higher.When humidity reduced, it was of value to reduction and is added to the electrostatic potential for the treatment of by on the advantageous compositions of nozzle 24 injections.Therefore, under lower humidity (for example near processing cycle latter stage), to quality, can send an enough big electric charge/mass ratio from the lower output voltage of high voltage source 28 according to the electric charge of the advantageous compositions for the treatment of to distribute by nozzle 24.As mentioned above, can comprise a more complicated high voltage source 28 in the textile article drying device, itself or at liquid reservoir 26 inner or at nozzle 24 from giving advantageous compositions charged successively on one's body.

The situation that may exist output voltage slowly to regulate or change in time, and under certain condition, in fact some situation requires to increase output voltage.Yet when humidity in the textile article drying device reduced, the variable output voltage of high voltage source 28 produced a lower voltage value and will typically be preferably, and wherein voltage can be reduced to about 1-4kV, for example, and in the fabric treating end cycle.

The another kind of enhancing provided by the present invention is: use variable speed driver 32 driving pumps 30.If motor 32 is switched on by utilizing a pulse width modulation controlled scheme, then when cell voltage begins to reduce, can increase the pulsewidth modulation work period.This will have the effect of effective output that control provided by pump 30, and will attempt to keep the output voltage substantially constant of pump 30, even also be like this when cell voltage begins to descend when battery 52 discharges.The precision tolerance of " substantially invariable " pumpage that keeps can determine according to designer's preference, the tolerance of 10% or 20% yet (or possibility even bigger percentage) perhaps will be than only allowing the pump performance shake that improvement be arranged, as long as the work period that controller can continue to keep bigger (that is, up to the peak value that reaches its place) 100% work period.When adopting this method of operation, it is faster that battery discharge will be tending towards.

But, if adopt have one can controlled variable output voltage high voltage source 28, then output voltage also can begin to reduce and " risings " with cell voltage, so if system designer needs, effective output voltage will keep substantially constant.As an alternative plan, the output voltage that drives high voltage source 28 can begin to descend and raise with cell voltage, thereby keeps being transported to voltage (or to compression pump 30, referring to the following) substantially constant on the motor 32.The precision tolerance of " substantially invariable " pumpage that keeps can determine according to designer's preference, the tolerance of 10% or 20% yet (or possibility even bigger percentage) perhaps will not have the trial of any correction than only allowing voltage to descend improvement will be arranged, as long as battery can move controller by enough electric currents without interruption.When adopting this operational mode, it is faster that battery discharge will be tending towards.

As mentioned above, one type of the adoptable pump 30 of the present invention is peristaltic pump, comprises the application scenario that is used for electrostatic spraying.The another kind of preferred type that can be used for pump 30 of the present invention is the ultrasonic pressure pump, and it has the advantage that does not have main movement parts.Although some film or lamination (or layer of other kind) can the reciprocating motion type mode vibrate, compression pump do not have can wearing and tearing main movement parts, for example use rotating shaft and bearing with discharge liquid or gaseous fluid with spinner member.Equally, circulating pump requires the main movement parts also can wear and tear, therefore the bearing or the axle bush of some type that need can scrap as wear surface.Can be used for a kind of exemplary compression pump of the present invention by the PAR Technologies that is positioned at Virginia Hampton, LLC produces and in particular to " LPD series " lamination pressure fluid pump of PARTechnologies.Can buy the pump that PARTechnologies produces, it needs quite low electric current.This type of compression pump will not need an independent motor, motor 32 for example shown in Figure 5.

The relevant portion of all documents of quoting in detailed Description Of The Invention is incorporated herein by reference; It is to its approval as prior art of the present invention that the quoting of any document not can be regarded as.

Although illustrated and described specific embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other variations and modifications may be made in the case of without departing from the spirit and scope of protection of the present invention.Therefore in additional claims, comprise all such changes and modifications in the scope of the invention consciously.

Claims (41)

1. fabric article treating system, described treatment system comprises:

The textile article drying device, described textile article drying device has active chamber and closing structure, described closing structure has closed position and at least one open position, and described closing structure allows to use described active chamber, and described active chamber is moved at run duration; The advantageous compositions source; The nozzle that is communicated with described active chamber maintenance; Thereby order about advantageous compositions from described advantageous compositions source to described nozzle described advantageous compositions is ejected into distributor the described active chamber; Motion sensor; With

Control circuit, described control circuit starts the injection of described advantageous compositions, and wherein said control circuit prevents described advantageous compositions injected come out when described motion sensor indicates described active chamber not move.

2. treatment system as claimed in claim 1,

Wherein said chamber can cause air movement within it at run duration; With

Wherein said control circuit prevents that described advantageous compositions is in described motion sensor indication current injected come out when enough air movements do not take place in described chamber.

3. treatment system as claimed in claim 1, described treatment system also comprises: thus give the charging circuit that described advantageous compositions produces electrostatic spray with electric charge.

4. treatment system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said charging circuit comprises the high voltage source of being controlled by described control circuit with variable output voltage, and wherein said control circuit also is configured to change the described output voltage of the described high voltage source of giving described advantageous compositions, makes to produce different output voltages during producing during between first inlet zone of injection events between first output voltage and second inlet zone at described injection events.

5. treatment system as claimed in claim 4 is separated a period of time between wherein said first inlet zone and between described second inlet zone, thereby described treatment system is shown between described first inlet zone, does not spray then, shows then between described second inlet zone.

6. treatment system as claimed in claim 5, described treatment system also comprises: be mounted to the humidity sensor that is communicated with described chamber maintenance, wherein said control circuit also is set to:

(a) judge relative humidity in the described textile article drying device greater than 40% the time when described humidity sensor, begin between described first inlet zone;

(b) judge relative humidity in the described textile article drying device less than 40% the time when described humidity sensor, begin between described second inlet zone;

(c) or the combination of above-mentioned setting.

7. treatment system as claimed in claim 5, described treatment system also comprises being mounted to described chamber and keeps the temperature sensor that is communicated with, wherein begins between described second inlet zone when the cooling cycle that described temperature sensor is judged described textile article drying device is carrying out.

8. treatment system as claimed in claim 1, described treatment system also comprises being mounted to described chamber and keeps the temperature sensor that is communicated with, wherein said control circuit to prevent that described advantageous compositions from indicating described textile article drying device to move injected come out when bad at described temperature sensor.

9. treatment system as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

(a) described control circuit comprises that at least one is with lower member: (i) sequential processes device, (ii) parallel processing apparatus, (iii) logical states mechanical device and (iv) discrete analog(ue) and logic electronics circuit;

(b) described advantageous compositions is originated and is comprised liquid reservoir;

(c) described charging circuit comprises high voltage source;

(d) the described distributor that orders about described advantageous compositions comprises pump installation;

And comprise:

Thereby from described high voltage source output voltage is sent to electrode and makes the charged electric lead of described advantageous compositions; And power supply.

10. treatment system as claimed in claim 9, described treatment system also comprises: (a) first hood, (b) second hood, (c) cable that is communicated with described first and second hoods maintenance; (d) electro-motor of the described pump installation of startup; And wherein:

(e) described first hood is positioned at the outside of described textile article drying device, and described first hood comprises: (i) described power supply; (ii) described control circuit;

(f) described second hood is positioned at the inside of described textile article drying device, and described second hood comprises: the described liquid reservoir that (i) holds described advantageous compositions at first; (ii) described high voltage source; (iii) described pump installation; (iv) described electro-motor; (v) described electrode and described output voltage is sent to the described electric lead of described electrode; (vi) described nozzle; (viii) described closing structure sensor; With

(g) described cable transmits: (i) electric energy from described power supply to described high voltage source, (ii) at least one signal from described control circuit to described electro-motor; (iii) at least one signal from described closing structure to described control circuit.

11. treatment system as claimed in claim 9, described treatment system also comprises: voltage sense circuit; With the electro-motor that drives described pump installation; And wherein:

(a) described power supply comprises battery;

(b) described voltage sense circuit is judged the output voltage that is produced by described battery;

(c) described control circuit produces the pulsewidth modulation variable output signal of the described electro-motor of control; With

(d) described control circuit also is configured to the work period that the decline of the output voltage that produces with described battery increases described pulsewidth modulation variable output signal, thereby make described pump installation substantially invariable described advantageous compositions amount is provided for described nozzle, even the partial discharge of described battery makes it can not keep its rated output voltage.

12. treatment system as claimed in claim 9, described treatment system also comprises: voltage sense circuit; And wherein:

(a) described power supply comprises battery;

(b) described voltage sense circuit is judged the output voltage that is produced by described battery; With

(c) described control circuit also is configured to when the partial discharge of described battery makes that it can not keep its rated output voltage, and the decline of the output voltage that produces with described battery keeps the described variable output voltage substantially constant of described high voltage source.

13. treatment system as claimed in claim 9, described treatment system also comprises: (a) be installed in described textile article drying device interior location hood and (b) drive the electro-motor of described pump installation; And wherein:

Described hood comprises: (i) described power supply; (ii) described control circuit; (iii) hold the described liquid reservoir of described advantageous compositions at first; (iv) described high voltage source; (v) described pump installation; (vi) described electro-motor; (vii) described electrode and described output voltage is sent to described electric lead on the described electrode; (viii) described nozzle; (ix) described closing structure sensor.

14. treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein injection events comprises between first inlet zone and between second inlet zone, separate a period of time between wherein said first inlet zone and between described second inlet zone, thereby described treatment system is shown between described first inlet zone, do not spray then, show then between described second inlet zone.

15. treatment system as claimed in claim 14, described treatment system also comprises being mounted to described chamber and keeps the temperature sensor that is communicated with, the cooling cycle that wherein said temperature sensor is judged described textile article drying device begins between described second inlet zone when carrying out.

16. treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said motion sensor involving vibrations and motion sensor switch.

17. treatment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said motion sensor comprises acoustic frequency sensor.

18. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control circuit also is provided with as follows: (a) begin the back by the described advantageous compositions of described nozzle ejection at injection events; With

(b) between first inlet zone of the described injection events of starting and between second inlet zone of described injection events, make between described first inlet zone and a period of time separately between described second inlet zone.

19. treatment system as claimed in claim 18, wherein:

(a) described control circuit comprises that at least one is with lower member: (i) sequential processes device, (ii) parallel processing apparatus, (iii) logical states mechanical device and (iv) discrete analog(ue) and logic electronics circuit;

(b) described advantageous compositions is originated and is comprised liquid reservoir;

(c) the described distributor that orders about described advantageous compositions comprises pump installation;

And comprise: power supply.

20. treatment system as claimed in claim 19, wherein: described pump installation comprises a kind of of following pump: (a) ultrasonic pressure pump and (b) peristaltic pump.

21. treatment system as claimed in claim 19, wherein: described pump installation comprises the compression pump that does not have movement parts except controlled vibration.

22. treatment system as claimed in claim 19, described treatment system also comprises: the electro-motor that starts described pump installation.

23. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 1,

Wherein said distributor is a pump installation;

Described fabric article treating system also comprises:

Start the electro-motor of described pump installation; Battery; The voltage sense circuit of the output voltage that judgement is produced by described battery and

Wherein said control circuit also is set to:

(a) begin the back by the described advantageous compositions of described nozzle ejection at injection events; (b) produce the pulsewidth modulation variable output signal of controlling described electro-motor; With

(c) reduction of the output voltage that produces with described battery work period of increasing described pulsewidth modulation variable output signal, thereby make described pump installation substantially invariable described advantageous compositions amount is provided for described nozzle, even the partial discharge of described battery makes it can not keep its rated output voltage.

24. treatment system as claimed in claim 23, wherein

(a) described control circuit comprises with one of lower device: (i) sequential processes device, (ii) parallel processing apparatus, (iii) logical states mechanical device and (iv) discrete analog(ue) and logic electronics circuit.

25. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 1 also comprises: at least one safety sensor;

Wherein said control circuit also prevents advantageous compositions injected come out when the indicating predetermined state of described at least one safety sensor exists.

26. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said at least one safety sensor comprises that at least one is with lower sensor: (a) light sensor, (b) motion sensor, (c) temperature sensor, (d) humidity sensor and (e) pressure sensor.

27. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said control circuit also is set at injection events and begins the back by the described advantageous compositions of described nozzle ejection, wherein said injection events comprises between first inlet zone and between second inlet zone, and separate a period of time between wherein said first inlet zone and between described second inlet zone, thereby described treating apparatus is shown between described first inlet zone, do not spray then, show then between described second inlet zone.

28. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 25 also comprises: thus give the charging circuit that described advantageous compositions produces electrostatic spray with electric charge.

29. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said charging circuit comprises the high voltage source with variable output voltage of being controlled by described control circuit, and wherein said control circuit also is set to change the described output voltage of the described high voltage source of giving described advantageous compositions, makes to produce different output voltages during producing during between first inlet zone of injection events between first output voltage and second inlet zone at described injection events.

30. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 29, separate in time between wherein said first inlet zone and between described second inlet zone, thereby described treating apparatus is shown between described first inlet zone, do not spray then, show then between described second inlet zone.

31. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 28, wherein:

(a) described control circuit comprises that at least one is with lower member: (i) sequential processes device, (ii) parallel processing apparatus, (iii) logical states mechanical device and (iv) discrete analog(ue) and logic electronics circuit;

(b) described advantageous compositions is originated and is comprised liquid reservoir;

(c) described charging circuit comprises high voltage source;

(d) the described distributor that orders about described advantageous compositions comprises pump installation;

And comprise:

Thereby from described high voltage source output voltage is sent to electrode and makes the charged electric lead of described advantageous compositions; And power supply.

32. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 25, also comprise independent hood, wherein said advantageous compositions source, described nozzle, order about the described distributor of described advantageous compositions, described at least one safety sensor and described control circuit from described advantageous compositions source towards described nozzle and all be encapsulated in described textile article drying device inside.

33. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 25, hood and outer hood in also comprising, wherein:

(a) described outer hood is positioned at the outside of described textile article drying device, and described outer hood comprises described control circuit and power supply; With

(b) described interior hood is positioned at the inside of described textile article drying device, and described interior hood comprises described nozzle.

34. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 33, wherein:

Hood also comprises described advantageous compositions source, originates from described advantageous compositions and order about described distributor and described at least one safety sensor of described advantageous compositions towards described nozzle in described.

35. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said at least one safety sensor comprises the closing structure sensor, and described closing structure has closed position and at least one open position, and described closing structure allows to use described chamber; And wherein when described closing structure sensor indicated described closing structure not to be in described closed position, described predetermined state took place.

36. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 35, wherein said closing structure sensor comprises following a kind of parts: (a) light-sensitive unit; (b) pressure-sensitive conductor.

37. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said at least one safety sensor comprises the pressure sensor on the path between described advantageous compositions source and the described nozzle, and when described pressure sensor was indicated harmful pressure condition, described predetermined state took place.

38. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said at least one safety sensor comprises being mounted to the interior zone of described textile article drying device and keeps the temperature sensor that is communicated with, and described control circuit prevents that described advantageous compositions from indicating described textile article drying device to move injected come out when bad at described temperature sensor.

39. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said control circuit is set at injection events and begins the back by the described advantageous compositions of described nozzle ejection, wherein said injection events comprises between at least the first inlet zone and between second inlet zone, and comprises:

Be mounted to described chamber and keep the temperature sensor that is communicated with, wherein described second injection events begins when the cooling cycle that described temperature sensor is judged described textile article is carrying out.

40. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 25 also comprises: battery; With the voltage sense circuit of judging the output voltage that produces by described battery; And wherein:

(a) the described distributor that orders about described advantageous compositions comprises by the pump installation of electrical motor driven; With

(b) described control circuit is set to: (i) begin the back by the described advantageous compositions of described nozzle ejection at injection events; (ii) produce the pulsewidth modulation variable output signal of the described electro-motor of control; The (iii) reduction of the output voltage that produces with described battery work period of increasing described pulsewidth modulation variable output signal, thereby make described pump installation substantially invariable described advantageous compositions amount is provided for described nozzle, even described battery is made it can not keep its rated output voltage by partial discharge.

41. fabric article treating system as claimed in claim 25 also comprises: battery; Judgement is by the voltage sense circuit of the output voltage of described battery generation; With high voltage source with variable output voltage of being controlled by described control circuit; And wherein said control circuit also is set to when described battery is made that by partial discharge it can not keep its rated output voltage, and the decline of the output voltage that produces with described battery keeps the described variable output voltage amount substantially constant of described high voltage source.

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