clothes dryer

Abstract

The present invention provides a clothes dryer. The clothes dryer includes a housing and a drum disposed within the housing. The drum is used to provide storage space for clothes, and an openable and closable clothing access opening is provided on the peripheral wall of the drum. The drum is arranged so as to have a retracted state, retracted within the housing, and an extended state, at least partially located outside the housing. In the extended state, part or all of the clothing access opening is located outside the housing. Because the drum can be extended or retracted, clothes can be accessed and placed when the drum is extended, and drying can be performed when the drum is retracted. This solves the pain point of users having to bend over to access clothes, making it very convenient for users to access clothes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of clothing processing, and in particular to a clothes dryer. Background Art

[0002] With technological advancements and rising living standards, clothes dryers are becoming increasingly popular. A clothes dryer's function is to pass high-temperature air through the clothes to be dried, removing moisture and drying them quickly. A clothes dryer consists of a housing, a drum, and a support, with the drum and support located horizontally within the housing. Manufacturers continuously refine and design the dryer's exterior and internal structure, striving to add various functions to meet market demand. However, to this day, users must bend down and squat to pick up and put out clothes, which is somewhat laborious and inconvenient. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to overcome at least one defect of existing clothes dryers and provide a novel clothes dryer to at least solve the pain point of users who need to bend over to take and put clothes dry.

[0004] Specifically, the present invention provides a clothes dryer, which includes a housing and a drum disposed in the housing, wherein the drum is used to provide a storage space for clothes, wherein:

[0005] An opening for taking clothes in and out that can be opened and closed is provided on the peripheral wall of the drum;

[0006] The drum is arranged to have a retracted state in which it is retracted into the shell, and an extended state in which it is at least partially located outside the shell, and in the extended state, part or all of the clothing access opening is located outside the shell.

[0007] Optionally, the drum is arranged such that in the retracted state it is allowed to rotate about its axis of rotation.

[0008] Optionally, the drum is arranged so as to allow it to perform translational movement in a predetermined direction to switch between its retracted and extended states.

[0009] Optionally, the roller is caused to perform translational motion manually, or is driven to perform translational motion by a driving structure having a prime mover.

[0010] Optionally, the clothes dryer further comprises a first frame, the first frame being translationally mounted in the housing via a sliding track structure, and the drum being rotatably mounted on the first frame; or,

[0011] The clothes dryer further includes a second frame which is rotatably mounted in the housing, and the peripheral wall of the drum is translationally mounted on the second frame via a sliding track structure.

[0012] Optionally, the drum extends in the front-to-back direction and is slidably arranged in the shell in the front-to-back direction; a drum end cover is provided at the front end of the drum, the drum is rotatably arranged relative to the drum end cover, and a clothing access opening is provided with a door body for opening and closing the clothing access opening.

[0013] Optionally, the driving structure is an automatic extending device, including a gear, a rack and a power unit, the gear is connected to the power unit, the gear is engaged with the rack, and one of the power unit and the rack is installed in the shell, and the other is connected to the roller.

[0014] Optionally, the clothes dryer further includes:

[0015] a main drying system configured to allow a drying air flow to enter the drum from one end of the drum; and

[0016] An auxiliary drying system is arranged on the outside of the other end of the drum, and the auxiliary drying system is configured to suck air flow from the other end of the drum, heat the air flow, and allow the heated air flow to enter the drum from the other end of the drum.

[0017] Optionally, a drum end cover is provided at the other end of the drum, and an annular structure coaxial with the drum is provided on the drum end cover, and a plurality of air outlet holes are provided on the inner circumferential wall of the annular structure or on the end face facing the interior of the drum, each of the air outlet holes extends along the circumferential direction of the drum and is connected to the space inside the drum to discharge the drying airflow to the outside of the drum; the auxiliary drying system is arranged in the drum end cover.

[0018] Optionally, the heat circulation system includes a hot air hood, a condensing unit, a heating unit, a main fan, an air duct system and an auxiliary condensing device;

[0019] A plurality of ventilation holes are provided on the end cover of the one end of the drum to transport hot air into the drum; the hot air hood is rotatably provided on the outer side of the one end of the drum, and the hot air hood is coaxially provided with the drum;

[0020] The air duct system is configured to guide the drying airflow so that the drying airflow flows out from the other end of the drum under the action of the main fan, then flows through the condensing part, the heating part and the hot air hood in sequence, and finally circulates into the drum through the ventilation hole;

[0021] The auxiliary condensing device is arranged on the condensing part and is used for cooling the condensing part.

[0022] The clothes dryer of the present invention has a retractable drum. When the drum is extended, clothes can be placed in and out of the dryer. When the drum is retracted, clothes can be dried. This eliminates the pain point of users having to bend over to place clothes in and out of the dryer, making it very convenient for users to place and take clothes in and out of the dryer. Furthermore, when the drum is retracted into the housing, it does not affect the rotation of the drum, thereby improving drying efficiency.

[0023] Furthermore, in the clothes dryer of the present invention, on the basis of main heating and main condensing, auxiliary heating and auxiliary condensing devices are provided to accelerate water evaporation, improve steam condensation efficiency, shorten drying time, improve drying efficiency, and have a high degree of intelligence.

[0024] Furthermore, in the clothes dryer of the present invention, an openable and closable clothing access opening is provided on the peripheral wall of the drum, which is located inside the shell when drying clothes. The high temperature used during drying clothes can disinfect the clothing access opening to prevent secondary contamination when the clothes are taken out.

[0025] Based on the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will become more aware of the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in an exemplary and non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings indicate the same or similar components or parts. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a clothes dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a clothes dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a clothes dryer in which the drum is in an extended state is shown;

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic front view of a clothes dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a clothes dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a clothes dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of a clothes dryer in which the drum is in an extended state is shown;

[0034] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an auxiliary drying system in a clothes dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a first connection structure in a clothes dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a second connection structure in a clothes dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a second connection structure in a clothes dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a condensing portion and an auxiliary condensing device in a clothes dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a condensing portion and an auxiliary condensing device in a clothes dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a clothes dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 15 FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a clothes dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 FIG is a schematic structural diagram of a clothes dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 Shown and referenced Figures 2 to 15 , an embodiment of the present invention provides a clothes dryer.

[0043] The clothes dryer includes a housing 20, a drum 21, and a support, wherein the drum 21 and the support are disposed within the housing 20. The housing 20 is the outer shell of the clothes dryer, used to protect and house the internal components of the clothes dryer and, in addition, to enhance the appearance of the clothes dryer. A display device and a control device may also be provided on the housing 20. The display device may be a display screen, an indicator light, etc., used to display the operating status of the clothes dryer; the control device may include, but is not limited to, buttons, knobs, and a touch screen display, so that the user can control or set the clothes dryer. The support can be used to support the housing 20, install the drum 21, and the main drying system of the clothes dryer, etc. The drum 21 is arranged horizontally and is used to hold and dry clothes, that is, the drum 21 is used to provide storage space for clothes.

[0044] In particular, in this embodiment, a clothing access opening 22 is provided on the peripheral wall of the drum 21. In the initial position, the clothing access opening 22 is located at the uppermost side of the peripheral wall of the drum 21, that is, the opening of the clothing access opening 22 faces upward. The clothing access opening 22 can be opened and closed. For example, a clothing access door 23 is provided at the clothing access opening 22 for opening and closing the clothing access opening 22. Furthermore, the access door 23 is preferably arc-shaped to match the shape of the drum 21. The drum 21 is arranged so as to have a retracted state in which it is retracted into the housing 20, and an extended state in which it is at least partially located outside the housing 20. In the extended state, part or all of the clothing access opening 22 is located outside the housing 20, and clothing can be taken in and out after the clothing access opening 22 is opened. In the retracted state, the drum 21 is completely within the internal space defined by the housing 20.

[0045] In this embodiment, the dryer has a drum 21 that can be extended or retracted. When the drum 21 is extended, clothes can be taken in and out. When the drum 21 is retracted, drying operation is performed, which can solve the pain point of users having to bend over to take clothes in and out, and it is very convenient for users to take clothes in and out.

[0046] Furthermore, the drum 21 is arranged to allow translational movement along a predetermined direction to transition between its retracted and extended states. For example, the drum 21 extends in the front-to-back direction and is slidably mounted within the housing 20 in this direction, allowing the housing 20 to be withdrawn forward, partially or entirely positioned outside the clothing access opening 22, allowing clothing to be accessed from the access opening 22 after opening the access door 23; and retracted backward within the housing 20. The drum 21 extends in the front-to-back direction and is slidably mounted within the housing 20 in this direction, resulting in a simple, compact structure and easy installation.

[0047] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the drum 21 is arranged so that when retracted, it can rotate about its rotational axis, driven by the power unit 30. In other words, the dryer according to embodiments of the present invention can be a drawer-type dryer, in which the drum 21 can be extended and retracted as needed. The drum 21 is provided with an upper clothing access opening 22, allowing for the removal of clothing without bending over, thus resolving the pain point of conventional dryers requiring such access. When retracted within the housing 20, the drum 21 does not affect its rotation, thereby improving drying efficiency.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present invention, the drum 21 extends in a front-to-back direction and is slidably disposed within the housing 20 in the front-to-back direction. A drum end cap 24 is rotatably mounted on the front end of the drum 21. The drum end cap 24 cooperates with an opening on the front side of the housing 20 to seal the housing 20. The drum end cap 24 can also improve the safety of the dryer by preventing direct exposure to the rotating drum 21 and ensuring safety. In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the drum end cap 24 can be fixedly connected to the drum 21 so as to rotate with the drum 21. The drum end cap 24 can also be referred to as a front end cover, a front door, etc.

[0049] In some embodiments of the present invention, Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the dryer further includes a first frame 25, which is translationally mounted in the housing 20 via a sliding track structure 26, and the drum 21 is rotatably mounted on the first frame 25. Specifically, the first frame 25 is mounted on a support via the sliding track structure 26. The drum end cover 24 can be mounted on the first frame 25. Furthermore, the first frame 25 includes a rear frame and a peripheral frame, the rear frame is located on the rear side of the drum 21, the peripheral frame is arranged on the radially outer side of the drum 21, and the peripheral frame connects the rear frame and the drum end cover 24. In other embodiments of the present invention, the dryer further includes a second frame, which is rotatably mounted in the housing 20, specifically, the second frame is rotatably mounted on a support in the housing 20. The peripheral wall of the drum 21 is translationally mounted on the second frame via a sliding track structure. The power device 30 drives the drum 21 to rotate by driving the second frame to rotate.

[0050] The setting of the frame and the sliding track structure makes it particularly convenient to push and pull the drum 21. The drum 21 is supported by the frame and the slide. The movement of the drum 21 is achieved through the sliding track, and can be pulled out and closed as needed. After the drum is retracted into the shell, it does not affect the rotation of the drum, and the drying efficiency is improved through rotation.

[0051] Furthermore, the roller 21 can be moved in translation manually, or as Figure 4 As shown, the roller 21 is driven to perform translational motion by a drive structure 31 having a prime mover. Specifically, in some embodiments, a handle for pulling the roller 21 may be provided on the drum end cap 24, so that the translational motion of the roller 21 can be achieved by manually pushing or pulling. In some alternative embodiments, the drive structure 31 is an automatic extension device to cause the roller 21 to perform translational motion, such as causing the roller 21 to extend forward.

[0052] like Figure 4As shown, the automatic extension device includes a gear, a rack, and a power unit. The gear is connected to the power unit, and the gear meshes with the rack. One of the power unit and the rack is installed in the housing 20, and the other is connected to the roller 21. For example, the rack extends in the front-to-back direction and is mounted on the first frame 25, the power unit is mounted on the support, and the gear is mounted on the output shaft of the power unit and meshes with the rack. When the power unit drives the gear to rotate, the rack moves forward or backward, thereby extending or retracting the roller 21 into the housing 20. Alternatively, the rack extends in the front-to-back direction and is mounted on the support, the power unit is mounted on the first frame 25, and the gear is mounted on the output shaft of the power unit and meshes with the rack. When the power unit drives the gear to rotate, the gear moves forward or backward along the rack, thereby extending or retracting the roller 21 into the housing 20.

[0053] In some embodiments of the present invention, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the power device 30 can be a direct drive motor, which is fixedly mounted on the first frame 25 to move back and forth following the first frame 25 and the drum 21. The direct drive motor is located behind the drum 21, and the drum 21 is connected to the output shaft of the direct drive motor. A direct drive motor is the abbreviation of a direct drive motor, which mainly refers to a motor that does not need to pass through a transmission device (such as a transmission belt, etc.) when driving a load. A direct drive motor can be silent, energy-saving, stable, and powerful. In other words, the direct drive motor is directly connected to the drum 21, and has the advantages of high transmission efficiency and low vibration noise, which can solve the shortcomings of low efficiency and high noise of traditional clothes dryers. Moreover, the power device 30 that drives the drum 21 to rotate is arranged to extend or retract synchronously with the drum, so as to ensure the reliability of power transmission and make the structure simple and compact.

[0054] In other embodiments of the present invention, Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the power device 30 may include a drive device 32, a transmission device 33 and a clutch 34. The drive device 32 may be mounted on a support, the transmission device 33 is arranged between the drive device 32 and the clutch 34, and the clutch 34 is arranged behind the drum 21 and connected to the drum 21, so that the drive device 32 drives the drum 21 to rotate through the transmission device 33 and the clutch 34. Specifically, the drive device 32 may be a motor, and the transmission device 33 may be a belt transmission device. The belt transmission device includes a driving pulley, a driven pulley and a belt, the driving pulley is mounted on the output shaft of the motor, the driven pulley is coaxially arranged with the drum 21, and the belt is arranged on the driving pulley and the driven pulley. The power of the drum 21 is turned on and off by connecting and disconnecting the clutch 34, so that the power source does not move back and forth with the drum 21, thereby improving the reliability of the device. In some alternative embodiments, the belt drive device includes a driving pulley, an intermediate pulley, a driven pulley, and two belts. The driving pulley is mounted on the output shaft of the motor, and the driven pulley is coaxially disposed with the drum 21. One belt is disposed on the driving pulley and the intermediate pulley, and the other belt is disposed on the intermediate pulley and the driven pulley. In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the direct drive motor may also be mounted on the housing and connected to the drum via a clutch structure.

[0055] In some embodiments of the present invention, the access door 23 is a sliding cover structure. Tracks extending in the front-to-back direction are provided at the two front and rear extending edges of the clothing access opening 22, and the left and right sides of the access door 23 are mounted on the two tracks. A handle is provided at the front end of the access door 23, and the handle can be a groove provided on the outer surface of the access door 23 to manually open or close the clothing access opening 22. In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 5 As shown, a limit lock 27 is disposed within the housing 20 and is located above the access door 23. When the drum 21 extends, the limit lock 27 receives a signal to extend a lock tongue, which acts on the access door 23 to restrict outward movement, allowing the drum 21 to extend and open the clothing access opening 22. After the drum 21 retracts within the housing 20, or when the drum 21 is about to rotate, the limit lock 27 receives a signal to retract the lock tongue, releasing the restriction on the access door 23's movement, allowing the access door 23 to rotate with the drum 21. Furthermore, a lock tongue insertion slot 28 is provided on the outer surface of the access door 23 for inserting a lock tongue. Insertion of the lock tongue into the lock tongue insertion slot 28 restricts the movement of the access door 23. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the drum door opening method can be modified. For example, the access door 23 can be rotatably mounted to the drum 21 about an axis extending forward and backward. Furthermore, the access door 23 can include two halves, disposed left and right.

[0056] In some embodiments of the present invention, Figure 1As shown, the main drying system of the clothes dryer is configured so that a drying airflow enters the drum 21 from one end of the drum 21, preferably, the drying airflow enters the drum 21 from the rear end of the drum 21. Furthermore, the main drying system is a heat circulation system, which is configured so that the drying airflow flows out from the front end of the drum 21, is first condensed and heated, and then circulates into the drum 21 from the rear end of the drum 21. Preferably, the heat circulation system may include a hot air hood 41, a condensing unit 42, a heating unit 43, a main fan 44, and an air duct system. The hot air hood 41 is rotatably disposed at the rear end of the drum 21, and a plurality of ventilation holes are provided on the rear end end cover of the drum 21 to deliver hot air into the drum 21. The hot air hood 41 is coaxially arranged with the drum 21. In some optional embodiments of the present invention, the rear end of the drum 21 is not provided with an end cover, and is directly blocked by the hot air hood 41 to prevent clothes from escaping from the rear end of the drum 21.

[0057] The air duct system is configured to guide the drying air flow so that the drying air flow flows out from the front end of the drum 21 under the action of the main fan 44, flows through the condensing section 42, the heating section 43 and enters the hot air hood 41 in sequence, and then circulates into the drum 21 from the rear end of the drum 21. The heat circulation system is used to dry the clothes in the drum 21. The air inlet of the air duct system can be connected to the lower side or the circumferential side of the front end of the drum 21. Preferably, the air inlet of the air duct system can be connected to the circumferential side of the front end of the drum 21, which is an annular air outlet structure of the drum. The annular air outlet structure is coaxial with the drum 21 and is arranged at the front end of the drum 21 so that the drying air flow flows out of the drum 21 from the front end of the drum 21 through the annular air outlet structure. For example, the annular air outlet structure includes a plurality of air outlet portions, and the plurality of air outlet portions are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the drum 21. An annular structure 241 coaxial with the drum 21 is provided on the cylinder end cover 24, and the above-mentioned multiple air outlet portions are evenly arranged on the inner circumferential wall or the rear end surface of the annular structure 241, and each air outlet portion includes an air outlet hole 242 or multiple air outlet holes 242 sequentially arranged along the front-to-back direction or multiple air outlet holes 242 sequentially arranged along the circumferential direction of the drum 21, and each air outlet hole 242 can extend along the circumferential direction of the drum 21 and communicate with the internal space of the drum 21. In some optional embodiments, the annular air outlet structure is an air outlet ring coaxial with the drum 21, that is, the multiple air outlet portions of the annular air outlet structure are connected together in sequence. An observation window may be provided on the cylinder end cover 24, and the annular air outlet structure may be located on the periphery of the observation window. Optionally, as Figure 8 As shown, only the lower portion of the inner peripheral wall or the lower portion of the rear end surface of the annular structure 241 is provided with an air outlet hole 242 to allow the drying air flow to flow out from the lower portion of the front end of the drum 21 .

[0058] Furthermore, an annular air duct is provided in the annular structure 241, and the outlet of the annular air duct is connected to the air inlet of the air duct system. Preferably, the above-mentioned multiple air outlets are provided on the inner peripheral wall of the annular structure 241, and a guide ring 243 is provided on the rear end face of the annular structure 241, and the guide ring 243 and the inner peripheral wall of the annular structure 241 are on the same cylindrical surface. The main fan 44 may include fan blades. The fan blades may be mounted on the above-mentioned drive device 32, or the fan blades may be connected to the above-mentioned drive device 32 via a transmission device 33, that is, the rotation of the fan blades and the rotation of the drum 21 may use one drive device 32, and the drive device 32 may be a motor.

[0059] The annular air outlet structure can change the flow field of the drying airflow within the drum 21, maximizing the distribution of drying temperatures within the drum 21 and achieving uniform and rapid heating. This improves drying efficiency and enhances practicality. Furthermore, the axis of the air outlet holes 242 is perpendicular to the axis of the drum 21, effectively arranging the flow field of the drying airflow within the drum. The axis of the air outlet holes 242 and the axis of the drum 21 can also be intersected at other angles. In other words, the axis of each air outlet area of the annular air outlet structure intersects the axis of the drum 21.

[0060] like Figure 8 As shown, the clothes dryer also includes an auxiliary drying system, which can be located outside the other end of the drum 21, for example, at the front of the drum 21, such as within the drum end cap 24. The drum end cap 24 is a structure used to seal the front opening of the drum 21. Specifically, the structure or combination of structures at the front of the drum 21 constitutes the drum end cap 24, and the rear wall of the drum end cap 24 defines the interior space of the drum 21. The auxiliary drying system can include an auxiliary fan 51 and a heating device 52. The rear wall of the drum end cap 24 is provided with an air inlet structure and an air outlet structure. The auxiliary fan 51 is configured to force air within the drum 21 into the drum end cap 24 through the air inlet structure, where it exchanges heat with the heating device 52 before re-entering the drum 21 through the air outlet structure. The hot air flow from the auxiliary fan 51, blown from the air outlet structure, interacts with the dry air flow from the rear of the main fan 44 to create turbulent flow at the front of the drum 21, raising the temperature of the clothes at the front of the drum 21 and achieving a uniform drying temperature across the front and back of the drum 21, thereby improving drying efficiency. An auxiliary heating device 52 is provided to accelerate the evaporation of water in the clothes.

[0061] Because conventional clothes dryers typically have a heater and fan at the rear of the dryer, hot air flows from back to front within the drum 21, causing the temperature at the rear of the drum 21 to be significantly higher than that at the front, and the temperature difference is large, resulting in slow drying and low drying efficiency at the front of the drum 21. The present invention, by providing an auxiliary drying device in the drum end cover 24, can increase the drying temperature at the front of the drum 21, thereby significantly improving drying efficiency.

[0062] Because clothes dryers contain a heat circulation system, those skilled in the art must reliably install the circulating air duct on a fixed component to ensure stable air supply and facilitate control of air supply temperature, condensation temperature, and other factors, thereby achieving optimal drying results. Therefore, prior to the present invention, those skilled in the art, without inventive effort and without breaking through the constraints of existing technology and technical prejudices, were unable to arrive at the obvious technical solution of the present invention, which involves installing a drying structure on a movable component, namely, on the drum end cap 24.

[0063] In some embodiments of the present invention, the auxiliary drying system preferably causes the airflow to flow from one end of the drum 21 to the other end, exit the drum 21, and after being heated by the auxiliary drying system, flow from the other end of the drum 21 to one end of the drum 21 and enter the drum 21. For example, the auxiliary drying system causes the airflow in the drum 21 to move forward out of the drum 21, and after being heated by the auxiliary drying system, the airflow moves backward into the drum 21. The auxiliary drying system may be located inside the annular air outlet structure.

[0064] In some embodiments of the present invention, Figure 8 As shown, the air inlet structure may include a plurality of air inlet holes. Further, the plurality of air inlet holes may be provided on a cover plate, which is an air inlet cover 53. The air inlet cover 53 may be installed on the air inlet through-holes provided on the rear wall of the cylinder end cover 24. The air outlet structure is a first air outlet structure, which includes a plurality of air outlet holes. Further, the plurality of air outlet holes may also be provided on a cover plate, which is an air outlet cover 54. The air outlet cover 24 may be installed on the air outlet through-holes provided on the rear wall of the cylinder end cover 24. The air inlet structure may be provided at the central position of the rear wall of the cylinder end cover 24, and the air outlet structure may be provided above the air inlet structure, so that the temperature drying airflow distribution in the drum 21 may be more uniform, thereby improving the drying effect.

[0065] In other embodiments of the present invention, the air outlet structure is arranged at the periphery of the air inlet structure to provide airflow into the drum from multiple positions at the periphery of the air inlet structure. For example, the air outlet structure is a second air outlet structure, and the second air outlet structure includes a plurality of air outlets, each of which can be an arc-shaped outlet, and the plurality of air outlets are evenly distributed on the rear wall of the drum end cover 24 along the circumferential direction of the drum 21. The heating device 52 can be an annular structure, which is coaxially arranged with the drum 21 to improve the heating effect. In some embodiments of the present invention, the air outlet structure includes a first air outlet structure and a second air outlet structure at the same time. The first air outlet structure can be a circular air outlet structure, and the second air outlet structure can be an annular air outlet structure, that is, the air outlet structure is a circular air outlet structure or an annular air outlet structure.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present invention, the heating device 52 is an infrared heater that radiates heat into the drum 21. The heating device 52 is positioned in the airflow path between the air inlet and outlet structures. The infrared heater has a high emissivity and can radiate heat directly onto the clothing in the drum 21. The auxiliary fan 51 blows the remaining heat from the auxiliary heating device 52 into the drum 21 to dry the clothing.

[0067] In some embodiments of the present invention, a lint filter 45 is provided on the air duct system for filtering lint. Part of the air duct system is provided on the cylinder end cap 24. The portion of the air duct system provided on the cylinder end cap 24 can be referred to as the first portion, and the portion of the air duct system provided within the housing 20 can be referred to as the second portion. Lint filter 45 is provided on the first portion of the air duct system, i.e., lint filter 45 is also provided on the cylinder end cap 24. Lint filter 45 provided on the cylinder end cap 24 facilitates the removal of impurities from lint filter 45.

[0068] To allow the drum 21 to be pulled forward out of the housing 20 and to allow the air duct system to function properly after the drum 21 is retracted into the housing 20, a first connecting structure may be provided between the air outlet of the first portion and the air inlet of the second portion, and a second connecting structure may be provided between the hot air hood 41 and the air outlet of the second portion. This allows the drying air duct to be automatically disconnected when the drum 21 is extended and automatically connected when the drum 21 is retracted. In other words, both the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure are configured to allow the drum 21 to move forward to extend the drum 21, and to connect the drying air duct when the drum 21 is retracted.

[0069] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first connection structure and the second connection structure may be the same, for example, Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the first connection structure includes a plug tube 47 and a plug tube 48, with the plug tube 47 inserted into the plug tube 48. Furthermore, a sealing gasket is provided on the inner wall of the plug tube 48 and / or on the outer wall of the plug tube 48. The inner wall of the plug tube 48 may be tapered inward, i.e., gradually expanding toward the plug joint, such as a truncated cone, and a Morse taper may be used. The outer wall of the plug tube 47 is tapered to match the inner wall of the plug tube 48 and gradually narrow toward the plug tube 48. When the drum 21 is withdrawn, the plug tube 47 and the plug tube 48 are separated. When the drum 21 is retracted, the plug tube 47 is directly inserted into the plug tube 48. Furthermore, a blocking surface is provided within the plug tube 48 to prevent the plug tube 47 from further inward insertion.

[0070] In some embodiments of the present invention, Figure 11As shown, the second connection structure may include a telescopic tube 49 and a suction assembly. The suction assembly includes a first suction member 57 and a second suction member 58 that attract each other. The first suction member 57 is disposed at one end of the telescopic tube 49, the other end of the telescopic tube 49 is disposed on the hot air hood 41, and the second suction member 58 is disposed at the airflow outlet of the second section. Alternatively, the other end of the telescopic tube 49 is disposed at the airflow outlet of the second section, and the second suction member 58 is disposed on the hot air hood 41. The telescopic tube 49 can be a flexible tube or a rigid tube. A flexible tube can also be called a hose; for example, a flexible tube can be a pleated pipe. By providing the telescopic tube 49 and the suction assembly, the connection between the hot air hood 41 and the airflow outlet of the second section can be prevented from causing air leakage or other undesirable problems due to minor deviations. Furthermore, an elastic seal can be provided on one or both of the opposing surfaces of the first and second suction members 57, 58 to ensure sealing performance. Both the first and second suction members 57, 58 can be magnetic elements such as magnets. Furthermore, the first connection structure may also adopt the structure of the second connection structure.

[0071] In some embodiments of the present invention, Figure 1 、 Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the condenser 42 can be disposed within the housing 20 and below the drum 21. The condenser 42 is configured to lower the temperature of the dry airflow to condense at least some of the moisture in the dry airflow. For example, the condenser 42 can include a dry airflow channel 423 and an air channel. The air channel and the dry airflow channel 423 can exchange heat so that the cooler air cools the warmer dry airflow. Specifically, the condenser 42 includes a plurality of parallel air ducts 421 and a plurality of fins mounted on the air ducts 421. The air ducts 421 extend horizontally, and the dry airflow channels 423 are formed within the air ducts 421. The spaces between the air ducts 421 can serve as air channels. The heat circulation system of the clothes dryer also includes a condenser fan 422, which is configured to force air into one end of the air channel and out the other end of the air channel, thereby cooling the dry airflow within the dry airflow channels 423 of the air duct 421. The drying air flow channel 423 of the air duct 421 may extend in the front-to-back direction, and the air channel may extend in the left-to-right direction.

[0072] Furthermore, the first part of the air duct system is a door pipe, which is connected between the outlet of the annular air duct and the plug pipe 47 of the first connecting structure. The second part of the air duct system includes an air inlet pipe section, a first air supply pipe section and a second air supply pipe section. The air inlet pipe section connects the plug pipe 48 of the first connecting structure and the inlet of the drying air flow channel 423 of the condensing section 42. The first air supply pipe section connects the outlet of the drying air flow channel 423 and the air inlet of the main fan 44. The second air supply pipe section connects the air outlet of the main fan 44 and the second connecting structure. The heating section 43 can be arranged in the first air supply pipe section or in the second air supply pipe section.

[0073] The condensing fan 422 may include blades, which may be connected to the drive device 32 via a transmission device 33. In other words, the rotation of the blades of the main fan 44, the rotation of the blades of the condensing fan 422, and the rotation of the drum 21 may all be driven by a single drive device 32. The blades of the condensing fan 422 may be directly mounted on the output shaft of the drive device 32, which in turn drives the blades of the main fan 44 and the drum 21 for rotation via the transmission device 33. The blades of the main fan 44 may be mounted on an intermediate pulley of the transmission device.

[0074] To further improve condensation efficiency, the dryer's thermal cycle system also includes an auxiliary condensing device 46, which can be installed on the condensing section 42 to cool the condensing section 42, that is, to dissipate heat from the condensing section 42. For example, the auxiliary condensing device 46 includes a liquid cooling pipeline 461, a liquid cooling tank 462, a liquid cooling fan 463, a liquid cooling pump 464, and liquid cooling fins 465. The liquid cooling pipeline 461 is installed on the condensing section 42, for example, on the upper surface of the condensing section 42, specifically on the upper surface of the uppermost air duct 421. The liquid cooling fins 465 are integrated with the liquid cooling pipeline 461. The condensing fan 422 dissipates heat from the liquid cooling pipeline 461 while dissipating heat from the condensing section 42. Liquid cooling tank 462 is provided with a liquid cooling duct, and liquid cooling fan 463 is disposed at one end of liquid cooling tank 462. Liquid cooling tank 462 is used to store condensate, and liquid cooling fan 463 and liquid cooling duct are used to cool the condensate in liquid cooling tank 462. The outlet of liquid cooling pipe 461 is connected to liquid cooling tank 462 via outlet pipe 466, and the inlet of liquid cooling pipe 461 is connected to liquid cooling tank 462 via inlet pipe 467. Liquid cooling pump 464 can be disposed on inlet pipe 467 or outlet pipe 466.

[0075] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, a liquid cooling box can be used in place of liquid cooling pipe 461. Both the liquid cooling box and the liquid cooling pipe can be referred to as a liquid cooling unit. The liquid cooling box can be a flat box, meaning that the ratio of the box's thickness to its length is small. Furthermore, this ratio can be 1 / 6 to 1 / 25.

[0076] Furthermore, at least a portion of the inlet pipe 467 and / or at least a portion of the outlet pipe 466 is in contact with the condenser 42. For example, they are in contact with both ends of the left side or both ends of the right side of the condenser 42. For another example, the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe includes a plurality of heat exchange pipe segments, each of which is arranged on the leeward side or the windward side of an air duct pipe 421, preferably on the leeward side of the air duct pipe 421. The number of heat exchange pipe segments is less than or equal to the number of air duct pipes 421. For example, no heat exchange pipe segment is provided on the windward side or the leeward side of the air duct pipe 421 installed in the liquid cooling unit.

[0077] When the liquid cooling unit is a liquid cooling pipe 461, it can extend in a serpentine shape, comprising multiple straight pipe sections and multiple connecting pipe sections. Each straight pipe section extends along the length of the air duct 421, and each connecting pipe section connects the same-side ends of two adjacent straight pipe sections. When the liquid cooling unit is a liquid cooling box, baffles are provided within the box to form a zigzag channel within the box, improving cooling efficiency. Furthermore, at least three baffles can be provided, forming a zigzag, serpentine channel within the box. This serpentine channel can also be referred to as an S-shaped channel.

[0078] The use of a forced auxiliary condensation method can ensure high condensation efficiency in a smaller volume, and has a better condensation effect than enlarging the condensation section 42. The condensate can be water or a coolant such as glycerin or ethylene glycol. Based on the main condensation section 42, the main fan is used for cooling, and an auxiliary condensation device 46 is provided to assist in cooling, improve the steam condensation efficiency, and thus improve the drying efficiency of clothes. Compared with simply enlarging the main condensation section or increasing the power of the main heat dissipation fan, the present invention has significant technical effects.

[0079] In some embodiments of the present invention, a guide device is provided on the outside of the inlet end of the air channel, and the guide device has a guide channel and a sub-guide channel provided in the guide channel for guiding air into the air channel, and the sub-guide channel is provided between the condensation portion 42 and the outlet of the condensation fan 422. The guide channel includes an inlet section and an outlet section, and the sub-guide channel is provided in the outlet section. The inlet section is perpendicular to the air channel, that is, the inlet section extends in the front-to-back direction, and the condensation fan 422 is a centrifugal fan. Furthermore, the liquid cooling box 462 is provided on the outside of the outlet end of the air channel or above the outside, and the length direction of the liquid cooling box 462 is perpendicular to the air channel, and the liquid cooling air duct is perpendicular to the air channel. The special arrangement position and relative relationship between the auxiliary condensing device and the condensation portion 42 can significantly improve the condensation efficiency and achieve good energy-saving effects.

[0080] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, Figure 14As shown, the condensing section 42 can be the cold end of the semiconductor refrigeration module, and the cold end surface is provided with cold end fins 61, and the cold end fins 61 of the semiconductor refrigeration module are used to condense water vapor in the hot and humid air. In order to improve the drying efficiency, the cold end of the semiconductor refrigeration module can be perpendicular to the flow direction of the drying airflow, so that the drying airflow is subjected to greater resistance and heat exchange with the fins, and then flows away from the peripheral side of the cold end of the semiconductor refrigeration module, such as the upper side. In some embodiments of the present invention, the heating section 43 is used to heat the drying airflow condensed by the condensing section 42. The heating section 43 can be arranged in the air duct system and on the air outlet side of the main fan 44, that is, on the downstream side of the main fan 44. The heating section 43 can be an electric heating device 52. Optionally, the semiconductor refrigeration module also includes a hot end, and the hot end surface is provided with hot end fins 62, and the hot end fins 62 of the semiconductor refrigeration module are used to preheat the drying airflow. The air duct system may have a bypass air duct section arranged on the upper side of the semiconductor refrigeration module, so that the drying air flow flows upward after exchanging heat with the cold end fins 61 of the semiconductor refrigeration module, and then flows downward to exchange heat with the hot end fins 62 for preheating.

[0081] In some embodiments of the present invention, the main drying system also includes a cold end of a semiconductor refrigeration module, which is equipped with cold end fins 61. These fins 61 assist in condensing water vapor in the hot, humid air. Specifically, the condensation unit 42 primarily condenses water vapor in the hot, humid air, and the cold end fins 61 of the semiconductor refrigeration module assist in condensation, improving the condensation efficiency. The hot end fins 62 of the semiconductor refrigeration module preheat the drying airflow.

[0082] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, Figure 15As shown, the condensing unit 42 and the heating unit 43 are the evaporator 71 and condenser 72 of the heat pump system, respectively. By utilizing the evaporator 71 of the heat pump system to condense water vapor in the hot and humid air, the heat pump system can provide higher condensation efficiency, thereby improving drying efficiency. By utilizing the condenser 72 of the heat pump system to heat the drying airflow, energy utilization is high, heat waste is minimized, and the energy efficiency of the clothes dryer can be significantly improved. The compressor of the heat pump system is connected to the condenser 72, which is connected to the throttling device, which is connected to the evaporator 71, and the evaporator 71 is connected to the compressor. In other words, the compressor, condenser 72, throttling device, and evaporator 71 are sequentially connected to form a refrigerant circulation system. The refrigerant medium continuously converts between gas and liquid within the refrigerant circulation system, releasing heat to heat the drying airflow, which then enters the drum 21 and dries the clothes within the drum 21. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, other types of condensation may also be used for condensation. Furthermore, a semiconductor refrigeration module can also be set between the evaporator 71 and the condenser 72, so as to use the cold end fins 61 of the semiconductor refrigeration module to assist in condensing water vapor in the hot and humid air, and use the hot end fins 62 of the semiconductor refrigeration module to preheat the drying airflow.

[0083] In some embodiments of the present invention, a water reservoir is provided within the housing 20. The reservoir is located above the drum 21. Typically, the reservoir is located on the front panel of the housing 20, near the top panel of the housing 20. A water reservoir is provided within the reservoir, with a clearance fit between the reservoir and the water reservoir, allowing the water reservoir to be withdrawn from or inserted into the reservoir. The top of the reservoir has an opening to receive water discharged from the drainpipe below the condensation section 42. When the water entering the reservoir fills the reservoir, it overflows from the top opening into the reservoir. The reservoir has an overflow hole, typically located at the bottom, to prevent water accumulation within the reservoir. The overflow hole is connected to a diversion channel via an overflow pipe. Consequently, when water overflows into the reservoir, it can flow through the overflow hole and the overflow pipe into the diversion channel. The water flowing out of the diversion channel can be used to clean the condensation section 42, the lint filter 45, and other structures, preventing water accumulation within the reservoir. A water pump is provided on the drain pipe, and a water storage tank is provided on the lower side of the condensation portion 42. The water in the water storage tank is transported to the water box through the water pump.

[0084] At this point, those skilled in the art will recognize that, although a number of exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications consistent with the principles of the present invention may be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and deemed to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A clothes dryer comprising a housing and a drum disposed in the housing, wherein the drum is used to provide a storage space for clothes, wherein: An openable and closable clothing access opening is provided on the peripheral wall of the drum; a clothing access door for opening and closing the clothing access opening is provided at the clothing access opening; a limit lock is provided in the housing, and the limit lock is located on the upper side of the access door; when the drum is extended, the limit lock receives a signal to extend a lock tongue, and the lock tongue acts on the access door to limit the outward movement of the access door, so that the clothing access opening can be opened when the drum is extended; The drum is arranged to have a retracted state in which the drum is retracted into the housing, and an extended state in which the drum is at least partially located outside the housing, and in the extended state, part or all of the clothing access opening is located outside the housing; Also includes: a main drying system configured to allow a drying airflow to enter the drum from one end of the drum; and an auxiliary drying system, the auxiliary drying system being disposed on the outside of the other end of the drum, and the auxiliary drying system being configured to draw air from the other end of the drum, heat the air, and allow the heated air to enter the drum from the other end of the drum; A drum end cover is provided at the other end of the drum, and the auxiliary drying system is arranged in the drum end cover; the auxiliary drying system includes an auxiliary fan and a heating device, and an air inlet structure and an air outlet structure are provided on the rear wall of the drum end cover. The auxiliary fan is configured to cause the gas in the drum to enter the drum end cover through the air inlet structure, and after exchanging heat with the heating device, enter the drum again from the air outlet structure.

2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that The drum is arranged such that in the retracted state it is allowed to rotate about its axis of rotation.

3. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein: The drum is arranged so as to allow it to perform a translational movement in a predetermined direction to switch between its retracted and extended states.

4. The clothes dryer according to claim 3, characterized in that The roller is driven to perform translational motion manually or by a driving structure having a prime mover.

5. The clothes dryer according to claim 3, characterized in that The roller extends in the front-to-back direction and is slidably disposed in the housing in the front-to-back direction; A drum end cover is provided at the front end of the drum, and the drum is rotatably arranged relative to the drum end cover.

6. The clothes dryer according to claim 4, characterized in that The driving structure is an automatic extending device, including a gear, a rack and a power unit, the gear is connected to the power unit, the gear is engaged with the rack, and one of the power unit and the rack is installed in the shell, and the other is connected to the roller.

7. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein: An annular structure coaxial with the drum is provided on the drum end cover, and a plurality of air outlet holes are provided on the inner circumferential wall of the annular structure or on the end face facing the interior of the drum. Each of the air outlet holes extends along the circumferential direction of the drum and is connected to the space inside the drum to discharge the drying airflow to the outside of the drum.

8. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein: The main drying system includes a hot air hood, a condensing unit, a heating unit, a main fan and an air duct system; A plurality of ventilation holes are provided on the end cover of the one end of the drum to transport hot air into the drum; the hot air hood is rotatably provided on the outer side of the one end of the drum, and the hot air hood is coaxially provided with the drum; The air duct system is configured to guide the drying airflow so that the drying airflow flows out from the other end of the drum under the action of the main fan, then flows through the condensation part, the heating part and the hot air hood in sequence, and finally circulates into the drum from the ventilation hole.

9. The clothes dryer according to claim 8, characterized in that The main drying system further includes an auxiliary condensing device, which is disposed on the condensing portion and is used to cool the condensing portion.

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