Method for controlling dryer

A method for controlling a dryer, the method comprising:

• putting a brush driving unit into operation, the brush driving unit being configured to drive a brush that separates foreign matter from a filter portion of a filter assembly positioned to contact air that has exited from a drum of the dryer;
• after putting the brush driving unit into operation, gathering information related to the operation of the brush driving unit;
• controlling operation of the dryer based on the gathered information related to the operation of the brush driving unit,
• wherein gathering information related to the operation of the brush driving unit comprises determining a position of the brush during the operation of the brush driving unit, wherein determining the position of the brush during the operation of the brush driving unit comprises:
• detecting whether a first sensor detects an end of the brush at a first end point of rotational movement of the brush;
• detecting whether a second sensor detects the end of the brush at a second end point of the rotational movement of the brush, the second sensor being different from the first sensor and the second end point of the rotational movement of the brush being spaced apart from the first end point;
• and
• determining whether the end of the brush is sensed by neither the first sensor nor the second sensor, one of the first sensor and the second sensor, or both of the first sensor and the second sensor, and
• wherein controlling operation of the dryer based on the gathered information related to the operation of the brush driving unit comprises controlling operation of the dryer based on the position of the brush during the operation of the brush driving unit,
• wherein controlling operation of the dryer based on the position of the brush during the operation of the brush driving unit comprises controlling the operation of the dryer to stop based on a determination that the end of the brush is sensed by neither the first sensor nor the second sensor.

A method for determining a source of clogging in a dryer, the method comprising:

• supplying heated air to a drum and discharging the heated air from the drum through a duct, wherein the heated air is supplied by a heater that operates at a temperature below a preset temperature, the heater being configured to stop operation based on the temperature exceeding the preset temperature;
• detecting that an operation period of the heater is longer than a reference period;
• and
• based on detection that the operation period of the heater is longer than the reference period, determining whether a filter portion of a filter assembly is blocked by foreign matter or the duct is blocked by foreign matter, the filter portion being positioned to contact air that has exited from a drum of the dryer,
• wherein determining whether the filter portion is blocked by foreign matter or the duct is blocked by foreign matter comprises determining a position of a brush during operation of a brush driving unit, the brush separating foreign matter from the filter portion of the filter assembly based on operation of the brush driving unit,
• wherein determining the position of the brush during the operation of the brush driving unit comprises:
• detecting whether a first sensor detects an end of the brush at a first end point of rotational movement of the brush;
• detecting whether a second sensor detects the end of the brush at a second end point of the rotational movement of the brush, the second sensor being different from the first sensor and the second end point of the rotational movement of the brush being spaced apart from the first end point;
• and
• determining whether the end of the brush is sensed by neither the first sensor nor the second sensor, one of the first sensor and the second sensor, or both of the first sensor and the second sensor, and
• wherein determining whether the filter portion is blocked by foreign matter or the duct is blocked by foreign matter comprises:
• determining that the duct is blocked by foreign matter based on a determination that the end of the brush is sensed by one of the first sensor and the second sensor or both of the first sensor and the second sensor;
• and
• determining that the filter portion is blocked by foreign matter based on a determination that the end of the brush is sensed by neither the first sensor nor the second sensor.