Patent Application
20250188673
The present subject matter relates generally to a dryer appliance, and more particularly to energy management of a dryer appliance.
A dryer appliance for drying articles, for example, clothing articles, typically includes a cabinet having a rotating drum for tumbling clothes and laundry articles therein. One or more heating elements, for example, one or more electric heating elements, heat air prior to the air entering the drum. The heated air, for example, warm air, is circulated through the drum as the clothes are tumbled to remove moisture from laundry articles in the drum.
In some cases, the dryer appliance can be associated with an energy supplying utility (e.g., an electrical utility company) that utilizes a Demand-Side Management Module. The Demand-Side Management Module can be configured to control energy consumption and control functions of the dryer appliance. For example, the energy supplying utility can define a utility state that controls energy consumption and controls the function of the dryer appliance during peak energy demand periods and off-peak energy demand periods. However, challenges exist with such dryer appliances. For instance, the Demand-Side Management Module can stop the dryer appliance at any time to control the energy consumption of the dryer appliance. In such instances, if the temperature of articles within the dryer appliance is too high when the dryer stops, damaging conditions can occur. These damaging conditions can be caused by a buildup of temperature in the center of the static load of articles.
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a dryer appliance is provided. The method may include a step of initiating a dryer cycle. The method may also include a step of receiving a demand-side management signal defining a current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The current state of the associated energy supplying utility being indicative of a peak demand period or an off-peak demand period. The method may further include a step of analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance following receiving the demand-side management signal. The method may include a step of directing a suspension sequence following analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance.
In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a dryer appliance is provided. The dryer appliance may include one or more power consuming components including at least one of a cabinet for receiving articles to be dried, a fan for drawing air into the cabinet and circulating air, and a heater for heating air drawn into the cabinet. The dryer appliance may also include a controller configured to direct a drying operation. The drying operation may include initiating a dryer cycle; receiving a demand-side management signal defining a current state of an associated energy supplying utility, wherein the current state of the associated energy supplying utility is indicative of a peak demand period or an off-peak demand period; analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance following receiving the demand-side management signal; and directing a suspension sequence following analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The term “at least one of” in the context of, e.g., “at least one of A, B, and C” refers to only A, only B, only C, or any combination of A, B, and C. In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a ten percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.
As used herein, the terms “clothing,” “articles,” and the like may include but need not be limited to fabrics, textiles, garments, linens, papers, or other items which may be cleaned, dried, or otherwise treated in a laundry appliance. Furthermore, the terms “load” or “laundry load” refers to the combination of clothing that may be washed together in a washing machine or dried together in a dryer appliance and may include a mixture of different or similar articles of clothing of different or similar types and kinds of fabrics, textiles, garments and linens within a particular laundering process.
Aspects of the present subject mattery may notably provide a dryer appliance that utilizes a suspension sequence for preventing or mitigating damaging conditions associated with the dryer appliance.
Turning now to the figures,
Cabinet 12 includes a front panel 14, a rear panel 16, a pair of side panels 18 and 20 spaced apart from each other by front and rear panels 14 and 16, a bottom panel 22, and a top cover 24. Within cabinet 12, an interior volume 29 is defined. A drum or container 26 is mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis within the interior volume 29. Drum 26 defines a chamber 25 for receipt of articles of clothing for tumbling or drying. Drum 26 extends between a front portion 37 and a back portion 38. Drum 26 also includes a back or rear wall 34, e.g., at back portion 38 of drum 26. A supply duct 41 may be mounted to rear wall 34 and receives heated air that has been heated by a heating assembly or system 40.
A motor 31 is provided in some embodiments to rotate drum 26 about the horizontal axis, e.g., via a pulley and a belt (not pictured). Drum 26 is generally cylindrical in shape, having an outer cylindrical wall 28 and a front flange or wall 30 that defines an opening 32 of drum 26, e.g., at front portion 37 of drum 26, for loading and unloading of articles into and out of chamber 25 of drum 26. A plurality of lifters or baffles 27 are provided within chamber 25 of drum 26 to lift articles therein and then allow such articles to tumble back to a bottom of drum 26 as drum 26 rotates. Baffles 27 may be mounted to drum 26 such that baffles 27 rotate with drum 26 during operation of dryer appliance 10.
The rear wall 34 may be rotatably supported within cabinet 12 by a suitable fixed bearing. Rear wall 34 can be fixed or can be rotatable. Rear wall 34 may include, for instance, a plurality of holes that receive hot air that has been heated by a heating assembly or system 40, as will be described further below. Motor 31 is also in mechanical communication with an air handler 48 such that motor 31 rotates a fan 49, e.g., a centrifugal fan, of air handler 48. Air handler 48 is configured for drawing air through chamber 25 of drum 26, e.g., in order to dry articles located therein. In alternative exemplary embodiments, dryer appliance 10 may include an additional motor (not shown) for rotating fan 49 of air handler 48 independently of drum 26.
Drum 26 is configured to receive heated air that has been heated by a heating assembly 40, e.g., via holes in the rear wall 34 as mentioned above, in order to dry damp articles disposed within chamber 25 of drum 26. For example, heating assembly 40 may include a heating element (not shown), such as a gas burner, an electrical resistance heating element, or heat pump, for heating air. In particular embodiments, the heating assembly 40 may be or include an electric heater comprising a plurality of electric resistance heating elements with a plurality of relays for selectively providing or obstructing electrical power to the heating elements, such as two relays which permit operation of the heating assembly 40 at various power levels, such as fifty percent (50%) power when only one of two relays is closed. As discussed above, during operation of dryer appliance 10, motor 31 rotates drum 26 and fan 49 of air handler 48 such that air handler 48 draws air through chamber 25 of drum 26 when motor 31 rotates fan 49. In particular, ambient air enters heating assembly 40 via an inlet 51 due to air handler 48 urging such ambient air into inlet 51. Such ambient air is heated within heating assembly 40 and exits heating assembly 40 as heated air. Air handler 48 draws such heated air through supply duct 41 to drum 26. The heated air enters drum 26 through a plurality of outlets of supply duct 41 positioned at rear wall 34 of drum 26.
Within chamber 25, the heated air may accumulate moisture, e.g., from damp clothing disposed within chamber 25. In turn, air handler 48 draws moisture-saturated air through a screen filter (not shown) which traps lint particles. Such moisture-statured air then enters an exit duct 46 and is passed through air handler 48 to an exhaust duct 52. From exhaust duct 52, such moisture-statured air passes out of dryer appliance 10 through a vent defined by cabinet 12. After the clothing articles have been dried, they are removed from the drum 26 via opening 32. A door 33 (
In some embodiments, one or more selector inputs 70, such as knobs, buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc., may be provided or mounted on a cabinet 12 (e.g., on a backsplash 71 of the cabinet 12) and are in operable communication (e.g., electrically coupled or coupled through a wireless network band) with a processing device or controller 100. A display 56 may also be provided on the backsplash 71 and may also be in operable communication with the controller 100. Controller 100 may also be provided in operable communication with motor 31, air handler 48, or heating assembly 40. In turn, signals generated in controller 100 direct operation of motor 31, air handler 48, or heating assembly 40 in response to the position of inputs 70. In the example illustrated in
Controller 100 is a “processing device” or “controller” and may be embodied as described herein. As used herein, “processing device” or “controller” may refer to one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS), or semiconductor devices and is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The controller 100 may be programmed to operate dryer appliance 10 by executing instructions stored in memory (e.g., non-transitory media). The controller 100 may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements such as RAM, ROM, or electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM). For example, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations. Controller 100 may include one or more processor(s) and associated memory device(s) configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions or instructions (e.g. performing the methods, steps, calculations and the like and storing relevant data as disclosed herein). It should be noted that controllers as disclosed herein are capable of and may be operable to perform any methods and associated method steps as disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programming instructions stored in the memory and executed by the controller.
In some exemplary embodiments, the dryer appliance 10 may include one or more temperature sensors (e.g., thermistor, thermocouple, or other suitable electrical temperature-sensing device), such as inlet temperature sensor 43 or outlet temperature sensor 47. The inlet temperature sensor 43 and the outlet temperature sensor 47 may each be in operative communication with the controller 100. For example, in various embodiments, the controller 100 may be operable to detect, measure, or monitor one or more temperatures within the dryer appliance 10. Such temperatures which may be detected, measured, or monitored include, for example, a temperature of air at an inlet of the dryer appliance measured with the inlet temperature sensor 43 or a temperature of air at an outlet of the dryer appliance measured with the outlet temperature sensor 47. The inlet temperature sensor 43 and the outlet temperature sensor 47 may be, in some embodiments, thermistors.
In some exemplary embodiments, the dryer appliance 10 may include one or more moisture sensors (e.g., conductivity sensors, heat sensors, or other suitable electrical moisture-sensing device), such as moisture sensor 50. The moisture sensor(s) may be in operative communication with controller 100. For example, in various embodiments, the controller 100 may be operable to detect, measure, or monitor a moisture score within the dryer appliance 10. The moisture score may be indicative of a percent moisture within the dryer appliance 10. The moisture score monitored by controller 100 may be plotted into a progression, or slope, indicative of the moisture score generally decreasing.
Referring still to
The at least one power consuming component, feature, or function may each be in operative communication with the controller 100. In some embodiments, the controller 100 includes a microcomputer on a printed circuit board which is programmed to selectively control the energization of the power consuming component, feature, or function. Moreover, in some embodiments, the controller 100 is configured to receive and process a demand-side management signal indicative of a utility state of an associated energy supplying utility (e.g., a utility provider, such as a power company). For example, the utility state may be indicative of an availability or current cost of energy supplied via the associated energy supplying utility. The demand-side management signal can be transmitted via a power line, as a radio frequency signal, or by any other means for transmitting a signal when the associated energy supplying utility desires to reduce demand for its resources. The cost can be indicative of the utility state of the demand for the utility's energy. For example, a relatively high price or cost of supplied energy may typically be associated with a peak demand state or period and a relative low price or cost may typically be associated with an off-peak demand state or period.
Further, the controller 100 may be configured to operate the dryer appliance 10 in one of a plurality of operating modes in response to the demand-side management signal being received. The plurality of operating modes may include, but are not limited to, a high-energy mode and a low-energy mode. When operating in the high-energy mode, the dryer appliance 10 may generally utilize higher heat settings and faster fan speeds (e.g., when compared to the low-energy mode) to accelerate the drying process. When operating in the low-energy mode, the dryer appliance may generally utilize lower heat settings and slower fan speeds for more energy efficient drying.
Specifically, the dryer appliance 10 can be operated in the high-energy mode in response to a signal indicating an off-peak demand state or period and can be operated in the low-energy mode in response to a signal indicating a peak demand state or period. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the controller 100 is configured to at least selectively adjust or disable the at least one power consuming component, feature, or function to reduce power consumption of the dryer appliance 10 in the low-energy mode.
Controller 100 may be configured with a plurality of drying algorithms preprogrammed in the memory to implement user selectable cycles for drying a variety of types and sizes of laundry loads. The drying algorithms may automatically determine a duration of a cycle. Additionally or alternatively, the drying algorithms may be influenced by user selection of a desired degree of dryness. Drying cycles of fixed duration selected by the user are also enabled. Each such cycle is a power consuming component, feature, or function involving energization of the motor 31 to drive the drum 26 and the fan 49, and the heating assembly 40, and possibly other components such as a light illuminating the interior of the dryer at least when the dryer door 33 is open.
In some instances, the dryer appliance 10 can be delayed in their operation, rescheduled for a later start time, or altered in their functioning or features in order to reduce energy demands. Some appliances lend themselves to an altered operational schedule to off-peak demand periods due to their functionality. For example, the dryer appliance 10 has the capacity to run at off-peak hours because demand on the dryer appliance 10 is either not constant or the function of the dryer appliance 10 does not require immediate response. As one illustrative example, the dryer appliance 10 may be loaded during the daytime (e.g., peak demand period hours). The dryer appliance 10 may be programmed to start its operations for a later time such as during the nighttime (e.g., off-peak demand period hours). It is to be appreciated that on-peak and off-peak demand hours can correspond to high utility costs and relatively low utility costs (e.g., dollars per kilowatt hour), respectively. In this manner, articles can be dried using energy during the off-peak demand period wherein the subsequently dried articles become available either later in the present day or at a time the following day.
In order to reduce the peak energy consumed by the dryer appliance 10, modifications or delays of individual dryer appliance 10 cycles can be adjusted in order to reduce the total energy consumed. Reducing total energy consumed also encompasses reducing the energy consumed at peak times or reducing the overall electricity demands during peak times and non-peak times. In some instances, electricity demand can be defined as average (i.e., mean) watts over a short period of time, such as between five to sixty minutes.
Changes or adjustments to the dryer appliances scheduled time for which cycles begin may be varied in a number of ways. Delaying or modifying the cycles schedule can be in response to a signal from the controller 100 for the dryer appliance 10 to conserve energy or can be at the user's or consumer's commands. The controller 100 can be in operative communication with an associated energy supplying utility where the controller 100 receives and processes a signal (e.g., a demand-side management signal) from the associated energy supplying utility indicative of current costs of supplying energy. In additional or alternatively embodiments, the controller 100 may be in operative communication with another appliance (e.g., a master appliance or a master controller) that is in operative communication with an associated energy supplying utility. The controller 100 can then operate the dryer appliance 10 in one of a high-energy mode or, alternatively, a low-energy mode based on the received signal. The controller 100 can be configured to change the at least one power consuming component, feature, or function by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, or a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming components, features, or functions to reduce power consumption of the dryer appliance 10 in the low-energy mode. In order to reduce the peak energy consumed by the dryer appliance, the controller 100 may be configured to selectively adjust or disable at least one of the one or more power consuming components, features, or functions to reduce power consumption of the dryer appliance 10 in the low-energy mode. To this extent, the controller 100 is configured to reduce power levels in the low-energy mode. The controller 100 is also configured to reduce functions or reduce the intensity of functions in the low-energy mode.
It is to be appreciated that low-energy mode can be accomplished by adjusting operation functions or features during peak demand periods, delaying or rescheduling operations to an off-peak demand period, and through a combination of both adjustment of operations and rescheduling to off-peak demands. Off-peak demand periods correspond to periods during which lower cost energy is being supplied by the utility relative to peak demand periods during identifiable periods.
Changing the start of an appliance operation can be through a delay in start time or a rescheduling to a particular time period. Operational delays include one or more of a delay in start time, an extension of time to the delayed start, stopping an existing cycle and delaying a restart, finishing an existing cycle and delaying a restart (or start or subsequent cycle), and stopping after more than one cycle and delaying a restart. The stopping after more than one cycle can comprise advancing through one or more cycles until a logical stop is reached and then delaying any further operations until off-peak mode hours. The logical stop can include before an additional drying cycle, temperature change to a subsequent drying cycle, etc. In this manner, operations can either be delayed before they are initiated, or they can be stopped after they have been initiated and restarted at a later time. For some functions, for example, a heavy duty dry cycle, it may be advantageous to finish an existing dry cycle and delaying a restart of any subsequent cycles to an off-peak demand period. In this manner, the clothes dryer's cycles effectively operate “normally” but can be delayed wherein one or more of the cycles are stopped/delayed and restarted/started during a non-peak demand period.
Alternatively, or in conjunction with the above operational delays, an operational schedule can be initiated wherein a user interface gives a user the ability to select which of the one or more dryer appliance 10 functions are to be scheduled by the dryer appliance 10 control system at non-peak mode hours. Additionally or alternatively, the clothes dryer control system can receive a zip code entry which corresponds to a time of use schedule of an associated energy supplying utility (e.g., power company) from which the controller 100 can determine peak demand period hours and off-peak demand period hours. The information can use a time versus day of the week schedule input method that receives a cost, or price, per, for example, kilowatt hour signal directly from the utility advising of the current costs and schedules activation of the clothes dryer to off-peak mode hours.
Moreover, for some functions, it may be advantageous to direct a suspension sequence prior to stopping the cycle to cool down articles held within the drum 26 of the dryer appliance 10. For instance, the low-energy mode may require the dryer appliance 10 to stop at any moment during a drying cycle. In such instances, it may be useful to make sure that the temperature of the articles within the drum 26 of the dryer appliance 10 are below a temperature threshold. For example, when articles sit in the bottom of the drum 26 at a temperature that is above the temperature threshold, the articles may be susceptible to damage due to a buildup of temperature in the center of the static load.
In this regard, a method of operating the dryer appliance 10 that may prevent or mitigate damage may be provided. For example, referring now to
As shown in
In additional or alternative embodiments, the step 310 includes receiving a cycle start input following receiving the cycle selection input. For instance, the cycle start input may be received in response to user manipulation of a start button, knob, or switch (e.g., the start button, knob, or switch may be one of the one or more selector inputs 70). Step 310 may further include activating one or more power consuming components, features, or functions of the dryer appliance in response to receiving the cycle start input. Activating one or more power consuming components, features, or functions of the dryer appliance may include energizing a motor (e.g., motor 31) to drive a drum (e.g., drum 26) or a fan (e.g., fan 49), energizing a heater (e.g., heating assembly 40), or any other component, function, or feature of the dryer appliance that may consume power. For example, a light that is configured to illuminate the interior of the dryer appliance at least when a door 33 of the dryer appliance is open.
In addition, the method 300 may include a step 320 of receiving a demand-side management signal defining a current state of an associated energy supplying utility (e.g., a power company). In some instances, the associated energy supplying utility may transmit the demand-side management signal to a controller of the dryer appliance. In some embodiments, the demand-side management signal is indicative of at least a peak demand period or hours and an off-peak demand period or hours. As described above, off-peak demand periods generally correspond to periods during which lower cost energy is being supplied by the associated energy supplying utility relative to peak demand periods. For example, peak demand periods may occur during the daytime when energy usage may be high. As another example, off-peak demand periods may occur during the nighttime when energy usage may be low (e.g., when compared to the energy usage during peak demand periods). Moreover, in some embodiments, the method 300 includes operating the dryer appliance in an low-energy mode during the peak demand period. In some other embodiments, the method 300 includes operating the dryer appliance in a high-energy mode during the off-peak demand period.
Further, the method 300 may include a step 330 of analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance following receiving the demand-side management signal. In this regard, the operating conditions analyzed in step 330 may be based on the demand-side management signal received. In some embodiments, the step 330 includes comparing a measured outlet temperature to a threshold outlet temperature in response to the peak demand period being defined by the received demand side management signal. When the dryer appliance is operating in the low-energy mode (e.g., during peak demand periods), the step 330 may be configured to compare the measured outlet temperature to the threshold outlet temperature to determine if the articles within the dryer appliance are are below a threshold temperature. The measured outlet temperature may be the temperature of air at an outlet of the dryer. For example, the measured outlet temperature may be measured by an outlet temperature sensor (e.g., outlet temperature sensor 47). It should be appreciated that the measured outlet temperature may be indicative of, or may correspond to, a temperature of articles held within the dryer appliance, and more particularly, held within the drum of the dryer appliance. For example, one or more transfer functions, algorithms, or equations, may be applied to the measured outlet temperature to accurately estimate or approximate the temperature of the articles held within the drum of the dryer appliance.
Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the step 330 includes determining a dryness level threshold is reached in response to the off-peak demand period being defined by the received demand side management signal. When the dryer appliance is operating in a high-energy mode (e.g., during off-peak demand periods), the step 330 may include determining a dryness level threshold is reached. In some embodiments, the dryness level threshold may correspond to a moisture score indicative of a percentage moisture within the dryer appliance. A moisture sensor (e.g., moisture sensor 50) may be operable to detect, measure, or monitor the moisture score within the dryer appliance. In other words, the moisture score may generally correspond to how dry articles held within the dryer appliance are. In this regard, the moisture score may be utilized to determine when the articles within the dryer appliance have reached the dryness level threshold.
Further, in such embodiments (e.g., when the dryer appliance is operating in the high-energy mode), the step 330 may include comparing a measured outlet temperature to a threshold outlet temperature in response to determining the dryness level threshold is reached. The measured outlet temperature may be the temperature of air at an outlet of the dryer. For example, the measured outlet temperature may be measured by an outlet temperature sensor (e.g., outlet temperature sensor 47). It should be appreciated that the measured outlet temperature may be indicative of, or may correspond to, a temperature of articles held within the dryer appliance, and more particularly, held within the drum of the dryer appliance. For example, one or more transfer functions, algorithms, or equations, may be applied to the measured outlet temperature to accurately estimate or approximate the temperature of the articles held within the dryer appliance.
Also, the method 300 may include a step 340 of directing a suspension sequence following analyzing operating conditions of the dryer appliance. The suspension sequence may be directed to prevent or mitigate a damaging condition that may be caused by a static load of articles held within the dryer appliance. Specifically, directing the suspension sequence may include performing a cooldown operation, performing a standby operation, or performing a shutdown operation.
Generally, the performance of the cool down operation may lower a temperature of articles held within the dryer appliance to below a threshold temperature. The performance of the standby operation may temporarily stop a cycle of the dryer appliance when (e.g., in response to) a demand-side management signal indicative of a peak demand period is received. The performance of the shutdown operation may end a cycle of the dryer appliance when the cycle is complete and operating conditions have reached a safe shutdown state (e.g., the measured outlet temperature is less than the threshold outlet temperature).
In some embodiments, for example, when the dryer appliance is operating in the low-energy mode (e.g., during a peak demand period), it may be determined at step 330 that the measured outlet temperature is greater than or equal to the threshold outlet temperature. In such embodiments, the step 340 includes performing the cool down operation. The cool down operation may include continuing to rotate a drum (e.g., drum 26) of the dryer and holding in an inactive state a heater (e.g., heating assembly 40) or a fan (e.g., fan 49). This may allow articles within the drum of the dryer appliance to tumble and lower in temperature as no additional heat may be provided. In this regard, the temperature of the articles within the dryer may lower. For example, during the cool down operation, the measured outlet temperature may continuously be compared to the threshold outlet temperature. When the measured outlet temperature is lower than the threshold outlet temperature it may be determined that the dryer appliance may safely enter the standby operation.
Additionally or alternatively, performing the cool down operation may include triggering a cool down timer in response to it being determined (e.g., at step 330) that the measured outlet temperature is greater than or equal to the threshold outlet temperature. In some embodiments, the cool down operation may be performed until the cool down timer reaches a predetermined amount of time. Once the cool down timer reaches the predetermined amount of time, the cool down operation may be suspended and the standby operation, for instance, as described in more detail below, may be performed. The predetermined amount of time may correspond to an amount of time that is known to lower the temperature of articles within the dryer appliance, and more particularly, known to lower the measured outlet temperature to below the threshold outlet temperature. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of time corresponds to a load size, load type, or any other suitable characteristics of the load of articles.
Moreover, in such embodiments, the step 340 includes performing a standby operation following the cool down operation. For instance, when the dryer appliance is in the low-energy mode and the cool down operation has been performed (e.g., when measured outlet temperature is below the threshold outlet temperature) the standby operation may be performed. The standby operation may temporarily deactivate all power consuming components, functions, or features of the dryer appliance that are in operative communication with the controller (e.g., controller 100) until an off-peak demand period is reached. In this regard, the dryer appliance, and more particularly, the at least one power consuming components, functions or features that are in operative communication with the controller may be on “standby” until the off-peak demand period or hours occur.
In some other embodiments, when the dryer appliance is operating in the energy saving mode (e.g., during a peak demand period), it may be determined at step 330 that the measured outlet temperature is less than the threshold outlet temperature. In such embodiments, the step 340 includes performing a standby operation. As described above, the standby operation may deactivate all power consuming components, functions, or features of the dryer appliance that are in operative communication with the controller until an off-peak demand period is reached. In this regard, the dryer appliance may be on “standby” until the off-peak demand period or hours occur.
In some embodiments, for example, when the dryer appliance is operating in the high-energy mode (e.g., during an off-peak demand period), it may be determined at step 330 that the measured outlet temperature is greater than or equal to the threshold outlet temperature. In such embodiments, the step 340 includes performing the cool down operation. The cool down operation may include continuing to rotate a drum (e.g., drum 26) of the dryer and turning off or holding in an inactive state a heater (e.g., heating assembly 40) or fan (e.g., fan 49). This may allow articles within the drum of the dryer appliance to tumble and lower in temperature as no additional heat may be provided. In this regard, the temperature of the articles within the dryer may lower. For example, during the cool down operation, the measured outlet temperature may continuously be compared to the threshold outlet temperature. When the measured outlet temperature is lower than the threshold outlet temperature it may be determined that the dryer appliance may safely enter the shutdown operation.
Moreover, in such embodiments, the step 340 includes performing a shutdown operation following the cool down operation. For instance, when the dryer appliance is in the high-energy mode and the cool down operation has been performed (e.g., when measured outlet temperature is below the threshold outlet temperature) the shutdown operation may be performed. The shutdown operation may shutdown all power consuming components, functions, or features of the dryer appliance in operative communication with the controller as the articles within the dryer appliance may be dried and the temperature of the articles may have been lowered to below the threshold temperature. In this regard, the cycle of the dryer appliance may be completed, and the dryer appliance may be “shutdown” (e.g., until a signal indicative of a subsequent cycle is received from the user interface or inputs).
In some other embodiments, when the dryer appliance is operating in the high-energy mode (e.g., during an off-peak demand period) and the dryness level threshold has been reached, it may be determined at step 330 that the measured outlet temperature is less than the threshold outlet temperature. In such embodiments, the step 340 includes performing a shutdown operation. As described above, the shutdown operation may shutdown all power consuming components, functions, or features of the dryer appliance in operative communication with the controller as the articles within the dryer appliance may be dried and the measured outlet temperature may have been lowered to below the threshold outlet temperature. In this regard, the cycle of the dryer appliance may be completed, and the dryer appliance may be “shutdown” until a signal indicative of a subsequent cycle is received.
Embodiments of the present subject matter provide energy management features (e.g., demand-side management) that monitor and plan the activities of electric utilities (e.g., a dryer appliance). Specifically, the energy management features are configured to shift energy usage from a peak period to an off-peak period (e.g., between sunset and sunrise or between 5 PM and 5 AM). In some instances, in response to receiving a demand-side management signal indicating a peak period, a dryer appliance can go into a standby operation (e.g., a lower energy consumption mode where the dryer appliance may stop temporarily until the off-peak period is reached). Since demand-side management can stop the dryer appliance at any moment during the drying cycle it is important to make sure that the temperature of the clothes within the dryer appliance are below a threshold. For instance, if the temperature of the clothes within the dryer appliance is too high when the dryer stops, damaging conditions due to build up of a temperature in the center of the static load may occur.
In this regard, embodiments of the present subject matter advantageously provide systems and methods to mitigate or prevent damaging conditions from occurring during a peak demand period. Particularly, embodiments of the present subject matter advantageously estimate the temperature of the clothes within the dryer appliance by using the air temperature at the outlet of the dryer. When a measured outlet temperature is above a threshold outlet temperature, the dryer appliance can advantageously perform a cool down operation until the measured outlet temperature is lower than the threshold outlet temperature. Then the dryer appliance can perform a standby operation until the off-peak demand period is reached.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
