Dryer

Abstract

The dryer includes a drum, a fixed panel, a motor, a power transmission unit, and a drive unit bracket. The drum includes a drum body providing space for storing clothes, a front cover forming the front surface of the drum body, a rear cover forming the rear surface of the drum body, and a drum inlet penetrating the front cover and communicating with the interior of the drum body. The fixed panel is separate from the rear cover and has a through hole formed thereon. The motor includes a stator mounted in the through hole and a rotor rotated by the stator. The power transmission unit includes a housing fixed to the fixed panel, the housing including a first shaft connected to the rotor, a second shaft connected to the rear cover, and an interlocking gear configured to transmit the rotational force of the first shaft to the second shaft by reducing the rotational force. The drive unit bracket is mounted in the through hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dryer, and more particularly to a dryer having an improved power transmission mechanism between a drum and a motor that rotates the motor. Background Technology

[0002] A dryer is a device that dries objects by supplying hot air into a container.

[0003] Rotary drum dryers are popular because the container for the object is shaped into a cylindrical drum, and hot air is introduced into the drum as it rotates. In particular, rotary drum dryers with drums that rotate approximately around a horizontal axis are often used as household dryers.

[0004] Rotary drum dryers use an electric motor to rotate the drum. The motor's driving force is transmitted to the drum via a power transmission device (such as a belt) to make the drum rotate. The motor's axis of rotation is usually different from the drum's axis of rotation. This can be called a belt-driven dryer.

[0005] Therefore, power transmission components (such as belts) may result in power loss, and a separate space is required inside the housing to install power transmission components (such as motors and belts).

[0006] Most existing drum washing machines are direct-drive (or direct-coupled) drum type, rather than belt-driven. In a direct-coupled type, the motor's rotation axis is coaxial with the drum's rotation axis, and the motor's stator is usually mounted on the rear or lower wall of the water tank. The motors commonly used in washing machines are called direct-drive (DD) motors, and such washing machines are called DD washing machines.

[0007] Compared to belt-driven systems, direct-drive systems offer several advantages. For example, the rotational speed (RPM) and torque of the roller drive can be varied and controlled differently in various environments. Furthermore, the direction or angle of roller rotation can be easily controlled. Additionally, reduced power losses result in energy savings.

[0008] In the case of washer-dryers, the motor is housed in the water tank, facilitating the application of a direct-connection structure for the drum motor. Conversely, dryers without washing functions lack a water tank for securing the motor, making it difficult to implement a direct-connection dryer design.

[0009] Therefore, despite the various advantages of direct connection compared to belt-driven dryers, it is not easy to apply direct connection to traditional dryers, thus creating a structural demand for direct connection. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] The present invention aims to at least solve the above-mentioned problems and / or disadvantages, and to provide at least the following advantages. Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a dryer having a drive unit that reduces the rotational speed of a rotor and transmits it to a drum, wherein the rotational center of the rotor is located on an axis concentric with the rotational center of the drum.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a dryer that can minimize the size of the drive unit.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a dryer having an improved flow path for supplying to a drum.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a dryer with an improved cooling flow path having a motor for driving the drum.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a dryer having an improved fixing structure for fixing the motor and the power transmission part.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a dryer that can reduce vibration generated by the power transmission section that transmits motor power.

[0017] Technical solution

[0018] According to the present invention, a dryer includes a drum, a fixed panel, a motor, a power transmission unit, and a drive unit bracket. The drum includes a drum body providing space for storing clothes, a front cover forming a front surface of the drum body, a rear cover forming a rear surface of the drum body, and a drum inlet penetrating the front cover and communicating with the interior of the drum body; the fixed panel is disposed away from the rear cover and has a through hole formed thereon; the motor includes a stator mounted in the through hole and a rotor rotated by the stator; the power transmission unit includes a housing fixed to the fixed panel, the housing including a first shaft connected to the rotor, a second shaft connected to the rear cover, and an interlock gear configured to reduce the rotational force of the first shaft and transmit the reduced rotational force to the second shaft; the drive unit bracket is mounted in the through hole and configured to restrict the installation position of the stator, and when the housing is installed, the installation position of the housing is corrected so that the rotation axis of the first shaft coincides with the rotation center of the stator.

[0019] The drive unit bracket may include: an annular ring portion that overlaps with the outer peripheral surface of the through hole, is fixed to the fixed panel and supports the stator; and a housing connection portion that protrudes into the inside of the ring portion and supports the outside of the housing.

[0020] The annular portion may include multiple connecting holes corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the through hole, and the stator passes through the fixing panel and is fixed on the connecting holes.

[0021] The annular portion may also include protrusions, in which through-holes protrude toward the fixed panel.

[0022] Multiple fixing protrusions may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing, extending radially relative to the center of the housing. The housing connection portion may include multiple housing connection claws protruding from the annular portion toward the center of the annular portion, located at positions corresponding to the multiple fixing protrusions.

[0023] Multiple fixing holes can be formed on multiple housing connecting claws, and connecting holes can be formed on each of multiple fixing protrusions, and connecting members are connected to the fixing holes by inserting into the fixing holes.

[0024] Locking protrusions may be formed on each of the plurality of housing connecting claws, extending in the insertion direction of the housing, and each housing fixing protrusion may extend transversely to the direction of the locking protrusion and be supported by the locking protrusion.

[0025] A locking groove can be formed on the locking protrusion to allow the housing fixing protrusion to be inserted therein.

[0026] A retaining groove can be formed on the housing retaining protrusion to allow the housing connecting claw to be inserted therein.

[0027] A locking groove may be formed on the locking protrusion to allow the housing fixing protrusion to be inserted therein, and a fixing groove may be formed on the housing fixing protrusion to allow the locking groove to be inserted therein.

[0028] At least one of the locking grooves or fixing grooves may have an inclined surface with an extended inlet.

[0029] When the housing rotates relative to its center, the locking slot and the fixing slot can be inserted laterally.

[0030] At least three fixed protrusions and at least three housing connecting claws may be arranged radially relative to the housing.

[0031] The drive unit bracket can support the stator with a fixed panel located between the drive unit bracket and the stator.

[0032] The power transmission unit may include: a driving gear formed at one end of a first shaft for transmitting power to the interlocking gear; and a driven gear formed at one end of a second shaft for receiving power from the interlocking gear. The interlocking gear may include a first gear that meshes with and rotates with the driving gear, and a second gear that rotates coaxially with the first gear and meshes with the driven gear, wherein the diameter of the second gear is smaller than that of the first gear.

[0033] Beneficial effects

[0034] The present invention can provide a dryer with a drive unit, wherein the rotational speed of the rotor is reduced and transmitted to the drum, and the rotational center of the rotor and the rotational center of the drum are located on the same axis.

[0035] Furthermore, the present invention can provide a dryer in which the volume of the drive unit can be minimized as much as possible.

[0036] Furthermore, the present invention can provide a dryer having an improved flow path for supplying air to the drum.

[0037] Furthermore, the present invention can provide a dryer having an improved cooling channel for driving the drum by a motor.

[0038] Furthermore, the present invention can provide a dryer having an improved fixing structure for fixing the motor and power transmission part.

[0039] Furthermore, the present invention can provide a dryer that can reduce vibrations generated in the power transmission section that transmits motor power. Attached Figure Description

[0040] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, are used to further understand the invention and illustrate embodiments thereof, and together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

[0041] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view showing the drive unit in a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing the drive unit in a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing a gear unit in a drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 6 This is a simplified view showing the gear unit in the drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 7 This is an exploded perspective view showing a dryer drive unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 8This is a cross-sectional view showing a dryer drive unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing a gear unit in a drive unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 10 This is a simplified view showing a gear unit in a drive unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 11 This is a rear view showing a drive unit bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing a drive unit support according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 13 This is a rear view showing the cooling structure of the drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 14 This is a perspective view showing the cooling structure of the drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 15 This is a rear view showing a drive unit cooling structure according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0056] Figure 16 This is a perspective view showing the cooling structure of the drive unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0057] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used wherever possible to refer to the same or similar parts. Furthermore, to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the invention, detailed descriptions of known configurations or structures will not be provided.

[0058] As used herein, the terms "first," "second," "A," "B," "a," and "b" may be used to describe components according to embodiments of the invention. These terms are intended to simply distinguish the corresponding component from another component, rather than to limit the component in other respects (e.g., the characteristics or order of the corresponding component). It should be understood that if an element is referred to as "connected to another element," "attached to another element," "connected to another element," or "attached to another element," it means that the element can be connected to the other element directly or via a third element.

[0059] The dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0060] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] refer to Figure 1 The dryer 100 may include a housing 1; a drum 20 rotatably mounted in the housing 1 and providing space therein for holding clothing (clothes or objects to be dried); a supply unit 3 for supplying hot drying air (air with a temperature higher than room temperature or air with a dryness higher than indoor air); and a drive unit D for rotating the drum 20.

[0062] The housing 1 includes a front panel 11 forming the front surface of the dryer 100 and a bottom panel 17 forming the bottom surface of the dryer 100. The front panel 11 may be provided with an inlet 111 communicating with the drum 20. The inlet 111 may be provided with a door 113, such that the inlet 111 is closed by the door 113.

[0063] The front panel 11 may be equipped with a control panel 115, and the control panel 114 may be equipped with an input unit 116 and a display unit 117. The input unit receives control commands from the user, and the display unit outputs user-selectable information (such as control commands). The input unit 116 may include a power request unit that requests power to the dryer 100, a process input unit that allows the user to select a desired process from multiple processes, and an execution request unit that requests the start of the user-selected process.

[0064] Roller 20 can be formed into a hollow cylinder. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the roller 20 includes a cylindrical roller body 21 with openings on its front and rear surfaces, a front cover 22 forming the front surface of the roller body 21, and a rear cover 23 forming the rear surface of the roller body 21. The front cover 22 may be provided with a roller inlet 221, which communicates the interior of the roller body 21 with the exterior of the roller body 21.

[0065] The roller 20 is rotatably fixed to at least one of the support panel 12 or the fixed panel 15. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the rear cover 23 is rotatably fixed to the fixed panel 15 via the drive unit D, and the front cover 22 is rotatably connected to the support panel 12.

[0066] The support panel 12 can be fixed to the housing 1 and is positioned between the front panel 11 and the front cover 22. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the support panel 12 is fixed to the base plate 17 and is disposed between the front panel 11 and the front cover 22. In this case, the rear surface of the front panel 11 (the surface facing the support panel 12) can be fixed to the support panel 12, and the bottom of the front panel 11 can be fixed to the base plate 17.

[0067] The support panel 12 may include a support panel through hole 122, a roller connecting body 123 connecting the support panel through hole 122 to the roller inlet 221, and a panel connecting body 126 connecting the support panel through hole 122 to the inlet 111.

[0068] The support panel through hole 122 is a component that penetrates the support panel 12 and is used to connect the inlet 111 and the roller inlet 221.

[0069] The roller connecting body 123 can be configured as a tube fixed to the rear surface of the support panel 12 (the surface facing the roller inlet 221 in the space provided by the support panel 12). The roller connecting body 123 can have one end surrounding the through hole 122 of the support panel and a free end supporting the front cover 22. That is, the free end of the roller connecting body 123 can be inserted into the roller inlet 221 or contact the free end of the front cover 22 forming the roller inlet 221.

[0070] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the free end of the roller connecting body 123 contacts the free end of the front cover 22. In this case, the roller connecting body 123 may be provided with an annular damping part (connecting damping part) 124. The connecting damping part 124 is a component that minimizes the risk of separation between the roller inlet 221 and the roller connecting body 123 (the risk of air leakage from inside the roller 20 into the housing 1) when the roller 20 rotates or vibrates.

[0071] The connecting damping part 124 can be made of a compressible material (a material whose volume increases or decreases due to external force). In this case, the connecting damping part 124 can be kept in a compressed state between the free end of the roller connecting body 123 and the edge of the roller inlet 221 (the free end of the front cover 22). This is to minimize the separation between the roller inlet 221 and the roller connecting body 123 when the roller 20 vibrates between the support panel 12 and the fixed panel 15. Felt made of compressed fibers can be an embodiment of the material of the connecting damping part 124.

[0072] The panel connecting body 126 can be configured as a tube fixed to the front surface of the support panel 12 (the surface facing the front panel 11 in the space provided by the support panel 12). The panel connecting body 126 may have one end surrounding the support panel through-hole 122 and the other end connected to the inlet 111. Thus, clothing fed into the inlet 111 can enter the roller body 21 via the panel connecting body 126, the support panel through-hole 122, the roller connecting body 123, and the roller inlet 221.

[0073] The mounting panel 15 can be fixed to the housing 1 at a position away from the rear cover 23. Figure 1In the embodiment shown, the fixed panel 15 is fixed to the base plate 17 to form the rear surface of the dryer 100 (the rear surface of the housing 1).

[0074] See Figure 2 The mounting panel 15 may be provided with a drive unit mounting recess 153, which defines a space for mounting the drive unit D. The drive unit mounting recess 153 may be a recessed, curved groove extending from the mounting panel 15 toward the rear cover 23 of the roller 20. The mounting panel 15 is provided with a mounting panel through hole 155 through which the rotation axis of the roller 20 passes. The mounting panel through hole 155 may be located in the drive unit mounting recess 153.

[0075] The support panel 12 may be provided with a roller outlet (first outlet) 128 that passes through the panel and connects to the main body 126, and the fixed panel 15 may be provided with a panel outlet (second outlet) 157 and a supply port 158.

[0076] The supply port 158 ​​may include a plurality of supply holes that penetrate the mounting panel 15 and are arranged to surround the drive unit mounting groove 153 (the plurality of supply holes may form a ring around the drive unit mounting groove 153).

[0077] like Figure 1 As shown, the supply unit 3 may include a discharge pipe 31 connecting the first outlet 128 and the second outlet 157, a supply pipe 32 guiding the air discharged from the second outlet 157 to the supply port 158, and a heat exchange unit 34 disposed in the discharge pipe 31 to sequentially dehumidify and heat the air. A filter 129 may be disposed in the first outlet 128 for filtering the air flowing from the roller 20 to the discharge pipe 31.

[0078] The discharge pipe 31 can be configured as a first pipe 311 connected to the first discharge outlet 128, a second pipe 312 connected to the second discharge outlet 157, and a third pipe 313 connected between the first pipe 311. The third pipe 313 can be fixed to the bottom panel 17.

[0079] The discharge pipe 31 may be equipped with a fan 315, which blows air from inside the drum 20 toward the second discharge outlet 157. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the fan 315 is disposed between the heat exchange unit 34 and the second tube 312.

[0080] The heat exchange unit 34 can be equipped with various devices that can sequentially dehumidify and heat the air fed into the exhaust pipe 31. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the heat exchange unit 34 is configured as a heat pump.

[0081] In other words, Figure 1The heat exchange unit 34 includes a first heat exchanger (absorber) 341 and a second heat exchanger (heater) 343. The first heat exchanger is used to remove moisture from the air fed into the discharge pipe 31, and the second heat exchanger is disposed inside the discharge pipe 31 to heat the air that has passed through the absorber 341.

[0082] The absorber 341 and heater 343 are arranged sequentially along the airflow direction and are interconnected by a refrigerant pipe 349 that forms a refrigerant circulation path. The refrigerant flows along the refrigerant pipe 349 through a compressor 345 located outside the discharge pipe 31, and the refrigerant pipe 349 is provided with a pressure regulator 347 to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant flowing from the heater 343 to the absorber 341.

[0083] The heat absorber 341 is a component that cools air (evaporating refrigerant) by transferring the heat of the air supplied to the discharge pipe 31 to the refrigerant, and the heater 343 is a component that heats air (condensing refrigerant) by transferring the heat of the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 345 to the air.

[0084] like Figure 2 As shown, the supply pipe 32 is a component fixed to the fixed panel 15 and is used to guide the air discharged from the second outlet 157 to the supply port 158.

[0085] When the supply port 158 ​​includes a plurality of supply holes arranged in a ring, the supply pipe 32 may include a pipe body 321 and a rotor receiving portion 322. The pipe body is fixed to the fixing panel 15 and forms a flow path connecting the second outlet 157 and the supply port 158. The rotor receiving portion penetrates through the pipe body 321. The drive unit D, fixed in the drive unit mounting groove 153, is exposed to the outside of the supply pipe 32 through the rotor receiving portion 322.

[0086] The roller 20 may include an air inlet 233 extending through the rear cover 23 to supply air into the housing 1 to the roller 20, and the fixed panel 15 may include a flow path generator 159 to guide air discharged from the supply port 158 ​​to the air inlet 233.

[0087] The air inlet 233 can be configured by arranging a plurality of holes through the rear cover 23 in a ring around the center of rotation of the roller 20. The flow path generator 159 can be configured as having a tube around one end of the supply port 158 ​​(the end fixed to the fixed panel 15) and around the other end of the air inlet 233 (the end in contact with the roller 20). In order to minimize the transmission of vibrations generated during the rotation of the roller 20 to the fixed panel 15, the flow path generator 159 can be formed of a highly elastic material (e.g., rubber).

[0088] The drive unit D may include a motor 5 fixed in the drive unit mounting groove 153 and a power transmission part 6 that transmits the power generated by the motor 5 to the roller 20.

[0089] To minimize deformation of the mounting panel 15 caused by the weight of the drive unit D and the external forces generated during the operation of the drive unit D, a drive unit bracket 4 can be provided in the drive unit mounting groove 153 to provide space for fixing the motor 5. The drive unit bracket 4 can be formed as a metal ring (a metal more robust than the mounting panel 15) fixed in the drive unit mounting groove 153.

[0090] like Figure 2 As shown, the motor 5 may include a stator 51 fixed on the drive unit bracket 4 to form a rotating magnetic field and a rotor 52 that rotates through the rotating magnetic field.

[0091] The stator 51 may include a core 511 fixed on the drive unit bracket 4, a core through hole 512 penetrating the core 511, and electromagnets 513 arranged at equal intervals on the circumferential surface of the core 511.

[0092] The rotor 52 includes a disc-shaped rotor body 52a, a tubular rotor circumferential surface 52b fixed on the rotor body 52a, and a plurality of permanent magnets 525 fixed on the rotor circumferential surface 52b. The permanent magnets 525 are fixed to the rotor circumferential surface 52b in such a way that the N pole and the S pole are alternately exposed.

[0093] The power transmission unit 6 is used to decelerate or accelerate the rotational force of the motor 5 and transmit the decelerated or accelerated rotational force to the roller 20. Now, the power transmission unit 6 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0094] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the power transmission unit 6 may include: a housing 60a, which is formed as a hollow enclosure and fixed to a fixed panel 15; a first shaft 63a, one end of which is connected to a rotor body 52a and the other end is located inside the housing 60a, on which a driving gear 631a is formed; a plurality of interlocking gears 64a, which mesh with the driving gear 631a and are rotatably mounted in the housing 60a; and a driven gear 65a, which meshes with the interlocking gears 64a and includes a second shaft 652a connected to the rear cover 23.

[0095] The first shaft 63a is used to transmit the rotational force of the rotor 52 to the interlocking gear 64a. The first shaft 63a may be provided with a drive gear 631a located inside the housing 60a. The first shaft 63a can extend from the drive gear 631a to the outside of the housing 60a and connect to the rotor body 52a.

[0096] When the first shaft 63a is directly connected to the rotor body 52a, deformation may occur between the first shaft 63a and the rotor body 52a. To prevent deformation of the rotor body 52a, the first shaft 63a can be fixed to the rotor body 52a by a fixing plate 524. The fixing plate 524 is fixed to the rotor body 52a to enhance the strength of the rotor body 52a.

[0097] The driving gear 631a has a driving gear shaft 632a at one end that is inserted into a first shaft hole 653a of the driven gear 65a. The driving gear shaft 632a and the first shaft hole 653a are configured such that the rotation center of the first shaft 63a coincides with the rotation center of the driven gear 65a. That is, the driving gear 631a of the first shaft 63a and the second shaft 652a of the driven gear 65a can rotate on the same axis of rotation.

[0098] Driven gear 65a may include: driven gear body 651a, which meshes with interlocking gear 64a; a first shaft hole 653a, formed at the center of the rotation axis of driven gear body 651a, through which the drive gear shaft 632a of the first shaft 63a is inserted; and a first shaft hole bearing 654a, disposed in the first shaft hole 653a and rotatably supporting the drive gear shaft 632a.

[0099] By inserting the driving gear shaft 632a into the first shaft hole 653a, the first shaft 63a and the driven gear 65a can be rotatably connected to each other in a coaxial state. The coaxial connection between the first shaft 63a and the driven gear 65a can prevent eccentricity during the rotation of the first shaft 63a and the driven gear 65a.

[0100] The second shaft 652a is used to transmit the rotational force of the interlocking gear 64a to the drum 20. The second shaft 652a may be disposed inside the housing 60a and extend from the driven gear 65a that receives power from the interlocking gear 64a. That is, the second shaft 652a may extend outward from the housing 60a (i.e., in the direction toward the drum 20) about the axis of rotation of the driven gear 65a.

[0101] The second shaft 652a can be integrally formed with the driven gear 65a. The second shaft 652a is preferably configured to be concentric with the first shaft 63a. When the second shaft 652a and the first shaft 63a are concentric, the vibration generated in the power transmission section 6 during the rotation of the drum 20 can be minimized.

[0102] Preferably, the housing 60a is fixed to the fixed panel 15 and located in the through hole 512. The volume of the drive unit D can be minimized by minimizing the volume of the housing 60a.

[0103] The housing 60a may include a first housing 61a and a second housing 62a, the first housing being formed as a housing having an open surface facing the fixed panel 15, and the second housing closing the open surface of the first housing 61a.

[0104] The first housing 61a may be provided with a first shaft support 611a and a first shaft through hole 612a passing through the first shaft support 611a. The first shaft 63a is inserted into the first shaft through hole 612a to pass through the first housing 61a, and the first shaft 63a may be provided with a first bearing 613a, which rotatably fixes the first shaft 63a to the first housing 61a.

[0105] The first shaft support 611a can be configured as a boss protruding from the first housing 61a toward the rotor body 52a or a boss protruding from the first housing 61a toward the second housing 62a.

[0106] When the first shaft support 611a is configured as a boss that protrudes from the first housing 61a to the second housing 62a (protruding from the first housing 61a to the center of housing 60a), the volume of housing 60a can be minimized as much as possible (the volume of drive unit D and dryer 100 can be minimized as much as possible).

[0107] The second housing 62a may be provided with a second shaft support 621a and a second shaft through hole 622a passing through the second shaft support 621a. A second shaft 652a can pass through the second shaft through hole 622a and be rotatably fixed to the housing 62a. A second bearing 623a may be provided on the second shaft support 621a. Because the second shaft 652a is rotatably supported by the second bearing 623a, the driven gear 65a can be rotatably supported inside the housing 60a.

[0108] The second shaft support 621a can be configured as a boss protruding from the second housing 62a toward the through hole 155 of the fixed panel (towards the rear cover 23 of the roller 20).

[0109] A pair of first bearings 613a can be arranged in parallel along the length of the first shaft 63a in the first shaft support 611a. A pair of second bearings 623a can be arranged in parallel along the length of the second shaft 652a in the second shaft support 621a.

[0110] When at least two first bearings 613a and at least two second bearings 623a are provided, the eccentricity between the first shaft 63a and the second shaft 652a can be minimized as much as possible during the rotation of the rotor 52. That is, when multiple first bearings 613a and multiple second bearings 623a are provided, the eccentricity between the first shaft 63a and the second shaft 652a can be minimized as much as possible during the rotation of the first shaft 63a and the second shaft 652a.

[0111] If the drive unit D is large, it is difficult to increase the number of bearings. However, because the volume of the drive unit D can be reduced as much as possible through the structure of the housing 60a located in the core through hole 512 of the stator 51 and the boss structure of the first shaft support 611a protruding towards the center of the housing 60a, the number of the first bearing 613a and the number of the second bearing 623a can be increased.

[0112] To minimize the volume of housing 60a, the diameters of the first housing 61a and the second housing 62a can be set to be different. That is, the diameter of the first housing 61a can be set to be smaller or larger than the diameter of the second housing 62a. To minimize the volume of housing 60a, each of the first housing 61a and the second housing 62a can have a cylindrical shape corresponding to the through hole 512.

[0113] Alternatively, the shapes of the first housing 61a and the second housing 62a can correspond to the shape of the interlocking gears 64a provided inside the housing 60a.

[0114] Specifically, multiple interlocking gears 64a can be arranged around the first shaft 63a and the second shaft 652a coaxial with the first shaft 63a. When three or more interlocking gears 64a are arranged, the outer surface formed by the interlocking gears 64a can be polygonal. Therefore, the housing 60a, including the first housing 61a and the second housing 62a, can be triangular for three interlocking gears 64a, and rectangular for four interlocking gears 64a.

[0115] The housing 60a can be fixed by a drive unit bracket 4, which is connected to the drive unit mounting groove 153 of the fixed panel 15. The drive unit bracket 4 may have an outer peripheral surface corresponding to the drive unit mounting groove 153 and an inner peripheral surface corresponding to the shape of the housing 60a.

[0116] The interlocking gear 64a is rotatably mounted via a connecting shaft 625a located between the first housing 61a and the second housing 62a. The number of connecting shafts 625a can be the same as the number of interlocking gears 64a.

[0117] The power transmission unit 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example, wherein three interlocking gears 64a are spaced 120 degrees apart from each other, and three connecting shafts 625a are spaced 120 degrees apart from each other.

[0118] Each interlocking gear 64a may include: a first body 641a, rotatably connected to the connecting shaft 625a via the connecting shaft 625a; a first gear 642a, disposed on the circumferential surface of the first body 641a and meshing with the driving gear 631a of the first shaft 63a; a second body 643a, fixed on the first body 641a and having a smaller diameter than the first body 641a; and a second gear 644a, disposed on the circumferential surface of the second body 643a and connected to the driven gear 65a disposed on the second shaft 652a.

[0119] The first connecting shaft hole (not shown) and the second connecting shaft hole (624a) for fixing the connecting shaft 625a are located at the relative positions of the first housing 61a and the second housing 62a, respectively. A bearing (not shown) for rotatably supporting the connecting shaft 625a may be provided in the first connecting shaft hole and the second connecting shaft hole 624a.

[0120] A second shaft 652a mounted on the driven gear 65a can be inserted into the through hole 155 of the fixed panel to connect to the rear cover 23 of the roller 20. To prevent the rotation of the second shaft 652a from damaging the rear cover 23, a separate shaft bracket (not shown) can be provided on the rear cover 23, and one end of the second shaft 652a is fixed to the shaft bracket.

[0121] Reference Figure 4 The driving gear 631a of the first shaft 63a can be located within the space defined between the first gears 642a. Furthermore, the free end of the first shaft support 611a can be inserted into the first shaft through-hole 612a formed at the center of the first housing 61a to pass through the housing 60a. This structure (the structure of the first shaft support 611a and the first housing 61a) can minimize the volume of the housing 60a.

[0122] To seal the through-hole 155 of the fixed panel (preventing air supplied to the roller 20 from leaking to the outside of the housing 1), the drive unit bracket 4 or the fixed panel 15 may also be provided with a seal 41. When the drive unit bracket 4 is formed as an annulus around the through-hole 155 of the fixed panel, the annular core 511 is fixed to the drive unit bracket 4, and when the housing 60a is located in the core through-hole 512, the seal 41 can be configured to seal the space defined between the drive unit bracket 4 and the second housing 62a.

[0123] The drive unit D with the above structure can operate as follows. (Refer to...) Figure 6 When the rotor 52 rotates clockwise, the first shaft 63a and the drive gear 631a also rotate clockwise.

[0124] When the drive gear 631a rotates clockwise, the interlocking gear 64a rotates counterclockwise via the first gear 642a. When the first gear 642a rotates counterclockwise, the second gear 644a also rotates counterclockwise.

[0125] Since the interlocking gear 64a is rotatably supported inside the housing 60a, when the second gear 644a rotates counterclockwise, the driven gear 65a rotates clockwise.

[0126] The roller 20 and the driven gear 65a are connected via a second shaft 652a. Therefore, the roller 20 rotates in the same direction as the rotor 52.

[0127] As shown in the figure, the diameter of each first gear 642a can be set to be larger than the diameter of the driving gear 631a, and the diameter of each second gear 644a can be set to be smaller than the diameter of each first gear 642a.

[0128] When the first gear 642a, the second gear 644a, and the drive gear 631a are configured as described above, the drive unit D can make the roller 20 rotate at fewer revolutions than the rotor 52. That is, the drive unit D can also be used as a speed reducer.

[0129] Since the driving gear 631a, which meshes with the first gear 642a of the interlocking gear 64a, is aligned with the first gear 642a, and the driven gear 65a, which meshes with the second gear 644a of the interlocking gear 64a, is aligned with the second gear 644a, the installation volume of the driving gear 631a, the interlocking gear 64a, and the driven gear 65a in the housing 60a can be minimized as much as possible.

[0130] Furthermore, with the driving gear 631a of the first shaft 63a meshing with the first gear 642a of the interlocking gear 64a, and the driven gear 65a of the second shaft 652a meshing with the second gear 644a of the interlocking gear 64a, the first shaft 63a and the second shaft 652a are coaxially connected. Therefore, when the rotation of the first shaft 63a is transmitted to the interlocking gear 64a and then to the driven gear 65a, eccentricity between the first shaft 63a and the driven gear 65a can be prevented.

[0131] The power transmission unit according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0132] refer to Figures 7 to 10According to another embodiment of the present invention, the power transmission unit 6 may include: a housing 60b, which is formed as a hollow shell and fixed to a fixed panel 15; a first shaft 63b, one end of which is connected to a rotor body 52a and the other end is located inside the housing 60b, and includes a drive gear 631b formed thereon; a plurality of interlocking gears 64b that mesh with the drive gear 631b of the first shaft 63b; a driven gear 65b that meshes with the interlocking gears 64b and includes a second shaft 652b connected to a rear cover 23; and a bracket 67b that rotatably supports the first shaft 63b, the interlocking gears 64b and the driven gear 65b and is fixed to the housing 60b.

[0133] The housing 60b is preferably fixed to the fixed panel 15 and located in the through hole 512. By minimizing the volume of the housing 60b, the volume of the drive unit D can be minimized.

[0134] The housing 60b may include a first housing 61b having an open surface facing the fixed panel 15 and a second housing 62b that closes the open surface of the housing 61b.

[0135] The first housing 61b may be provided with a first shaft through hole 612b through which the first shaft 63b passes and is exposed. The first shaft 63b may be inserted into the first shaft through hole 612b to pass through the first housing 61b and be connected to the rotor body 52a.

[0136] The second housing 62b may be provided with a second shaft through hole 622b for the second shaft 652b to pass through and be exposed. The second shaft 652b may be inserted into the second shaft through hole 622b to pass through the second housing 62b and be connected to the rear cover 23 of the roller 20.

[0137] The housing 60b can be fixed by a drive unit bracket 4 that connects to the drive unit mounting groove 153 of the fixed panel 15. The drive unit bracket 4 may have an outer peripheral surface corresponding to the drive unit mounting groove 153 and an inner peripheral surface corresponding to the shape of the housing 60b.

[0138] The shapes of the first housing 61b and the second housing 62b can correspond to the number and shape of the interlocking gears 64b provided inside the housing 60b.

[0139] Specifically, multiple interlocking gears 64b can be arranged around the first shaft 63b and the second shaft 652b coaxial with the first shaft 63b. When three or more interlocking gears 64b are arranged, the outer surface formed by the interlocking gears 64b can be polygonal. Therefore, the housing 60b, including the first housing 61b and the second housing 62b, can be triangular for three interlocking gears 64b, and rectangular for four interlocking gears 64b.

[0140] An annular first bracket damping part 613b and an annular second bracket damping part 623b can be respectively provided between the first housing 61b and the bracket 67b and between the second housing 62b and the bracket 67b to prevent the vibration and noise generated during the operation of the first shaft 63b, the interlocking gear 64b and the driven gear 65b inside the bracket 67b from being transmitted to the first housing 61b and the second housing 62b.

[0141] The bracket 67b is used to connect the first shaft 63b, the interlocking gear 64b and the driven gear 65b to the housing 60b, and rotatably supports the first shaft 63b, the interlocking gear 64b and the driven gear 65b.

[0142] The bracket 67b is used to fix the first shaft 63b, the interlocking gear 64b, and the driven gear 65b to the housing 60b by individually fastening the first shaft 63b, the interlocking gear 64b, and the driven gear 65b, thereby preventing eccentricity between the first shaft 63b and the driven gear 65b, which is provided with the second shaft 652b. The bracket 67b can improve the assembly of the power transmission unit 6 and prevent eccentricity between the first shaft 63b, the interlocking gear 64b, and the driven gear 65b.

[0143] The bracket 67b includes a bracket cover 671b and a bracket base 676b. The bracket cover faces the inner surface of the first housing 61b and rotatably supports the first shaft 63b. The bracket base faces the inner surface of the second housing 62b and rotatably supports the second shaft 652b.

[0144] The interlocking gear 64b is rotatably disposed between the bracket cover 671b and the bracket base 676b. The bracket cover 671b is provided with a plurality of connecting shafts 675b into which the interlocking gear 64b is rotatably inserted. A plurality of connecting shaft grooves 675b' are formed on the bracket base 676b for the connecting shafts 675b to be inserted.

[0145] The bracket cover 671b may be provided with a first shaft support 673b and a first shaft support hole 672b passing through the first shaft support 673b. The first shaft 63b is inserted into the first shaft through hole 612b to pass through the bracket cover 671b, and the first shaft 63b may be provided with a first bearing 674b for rotatably fixing the first shaft 63b to the bracket cover 671b.

[0146] The first shaft support 673b can be provided as a boss protruding from the bracket cover 671b toward the center of the bracket cover 671ba or from the bracket cover 671b toward the bracket base 676b.

[0147] When the first shaft support 673b is arranged as a boss protruding from the bracket cover 671b to the bracket base 676b, the volume of the bracket 67b can be minimized.

[0148] The bracket base 676b may be provided with a second shaft support 677b and a second shaft support hole 678b passing through the second shaft support 677b. The second shaft 652b passes through the bracket base 676b through the second shaft support hole 678b, and the second shaft support 677b may be provided with a second bearing 679b for rotatably fixing the second shaft 652b to the bracket base 676b.

[0149] The second shaft support 677b can be provided as a boss protruding from the bracket base 676b to the second housing 62b, or as a boss protruding from the bracket base 676b to the bracket cover 671b.

[0150] A pair of first bearings 674b can be arranged in parallel along the length of the first shaft 63b in the first shaft support 673b. A pair of second bearings 679b can be arranged in parallel along the length of the second shaft 652b in the second shaft support 677b.

[0151] When at least two first bearings 674b and at least two second bearings 679b are provided, the eccentricity between the first shaft 63b and the second shaft 652b can be minimized as much as possible during the rotation of the rotor 52. That is, when multiple first bearings 674b and multiple second bearings 679b are provided, the eccentricity between the first shaft 63b and the second shaft 652b can be minimized as much as possible during the rotation of the first shaft 63b and the second shaft 652b.

[0152] The first shaft 63b is used to transmit the rotational force of the rotor 52 to the interlocking gear 64b. The first shaft 63b may be provided with a drive gear 631b located inside the bracket 67b. The first shaft 63b can extend from the drive gear 631b located inside the bracket 67b and is rotatably supported by the first shaft support 673b of the bracket cover 671b, extending to the outside of the housing 60b through the first shaft through hole 612b, and connected to the rotor body 52a.

[0153] When the first shaft 63b is directly connected to the rotor body 52a, deformation may occur between the first shaft 63b and the rotor body 52a. To prevent deformation of the rotor body 52a, the first shaft 63b can be fixed to the rotor body 52a by a fixing plate 524. The fixing plate 524 can be fixed to the rotor body 52a, thereby enhancing the strength of the rotor body 52a.

[0154] A drive gear shaft 632b is formed on one end of the drive gear 631b to be inserted into the first shaft hole 653b of the driven gear 65b. The drive gear shaft 632b and the first shaft hole 653b are formed such that the rotation center of the first shaft 63b and the rotation center of the driven gear 65b coincide with each other. That is, the drive gear 631b of the first shaft 63b and the second shaft 652b of the driven gear 65b can rotate on the same axis of rotation.

[0155] Driven gear 65b may include: driven gear body 651b, meshing with interlocking gear 64b; a first shaft hole 653b, formed at the center of the rotation axis of driven gear body 651b to allow the drive gear shaft 632b of the first shaft 63b to be inserted therein; and a first shaft hole bearing 654b, disposed in the first shaft hole 653b and rotatably supporting the drive gear shaft 632b.

[0156] When the driving gear shaft 632b is inserted into the first shaft hole 653b, the first shaft 63b and the driven gear 65b can be rotatably connected to each other in a coaxial state. The coaxial connection between the first shaft 63b and the driven gear 65b can prevent eccentricity during the rotation of the first shaft 63b and the driven gear 65b.

[0157] The second shaft 652b is used to transmit the rotational force of the interlocking gear 64b to the roller 20. The second shaft 652b can be disposed inside the bracket 67b and extends from the driven gear 65b, which receives power from the interlocking gear 64b. That is, the second shaft 652b can be rotatably supported by the second shaft support 677b of the bracket base 676b and extends to the outside of the housing 60b through the second shaft through-hole 622b.

[0158] Preferably, the second shaft 652b and the first shaft 63b form a concentric axis. When the second shaft 652b and the first shaft 63b form a concentric axis, the vibration generated in the power transmission section 6 during the rotation of the drum 20 can be minimized.

[0159] The second shaft 652b can extend outward from the bracket 67b (i.e., in the direction of the roller 20) about the axis of rotation of the driven gear 65b. The second shaft 652b can be integrally formed with the driven gear 65b.

[0160] The second shaft 652b can extend from the driven gear 65b located inside the bracket 67b and is rotatably supported by the second shaft support 677b of the bracket base 676b. It extends outward from the housing 60b through the second shaft through hole 622b and is connected to the rear cover 23.

[0161] The interlocking gear 64b can be rotatably disposed between the bracket cover 671b and the bracket base 676b via a connecting shaft 675b disposed in the bracket 67b. The number of connecting shafts 675b can be the same as the number of interlocking gears 64b.

[0162] Another embodiment of the power transmission unit according to the present invention will be described by way of example, wherein three interlocking gears 64b are spaced 120 degrees apart and three connecting shafts 675b are spaced 120 degrees apart.

[0163] Multiple connecting shafts 675b extending toward the bracket base 676b may be disposed on the bracket cover 671b. Connecting shaft grooves 675b' into which the connecting shafts 675b are inserted are formed on the bracket base 676b. A bearing (not shown) for rotatably supporting the interlocking gear 64b may be disposed between the connecting shafts 675b and the interlocking gear 64b.

[0164] Each interlocking gear 64b may include: a first body 641b, rotatably connected to the connecting shaft 675b via the connecting shaft 675b; a first gear 642b, disposed on the circumferential surface of the first body 641b and meshing with the driving gear 631b of the first shaft 63b; a second body 643b, fixed on the first body 641b and having a smaller diameter than the first body 641b; and a second gear 644b, disposed on the circumferential surface of the second body 643b and connected to the driven gear 65b.

[0165] The second shaft 652b, which is provided in the driven gear 65b, can be inserted into the through hole 155 of the fixed panel to connect to the rear cover 23 of the roller 20. In order to prevent the rotation of the second shaft 652b from damaging the rear cover 23, a separate shaft bracket (not shown) can be provided on the rear cover 23, and one end of the second shaft 652b is fixed to the shaft bracket.

[0166] refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 The drive gear 631b of the first shaft 63b can be located within the space defined between the first gears 642b. Furthermore, the free end of the first shaft support 673b can be inserted into the first shaft through-hole 672b formed at the center of the bracket cover 671b, passing through the first shaft through-hole 612b of the housing 60b. This structure minimizes the volume of the bracket 67b and the housing 60b.

[0167] To seal the through-hole 155 of the fixed panel (preventing air supplied to the roller 20 from leaking to the outside of the housing 1), the drive unit bracket 4 or the fixed panel 15 may also be provided with a seal 41. When the drive unit bracket 4 is formed as an annulus around the through-hole 155 of the fixed panel, the annular core 511 is fixed to the drive unit bracket 4, and the housing 60b is located in the core through-hole 512, the seal 41 may be configured to seal the space defined between the drive unit bracket 4 and the second housing 62b.

[0168] The drive unit D with the above structure can operate as follows. (Refer to...) Figure 10 When the rotor 52 rotates clockwise, the first shaft 63b and the drive gear 631b also rotate clockwise.

[0169] When the drive gear 631b rotates clockwise, the interlocking gear 64b rotates counterclockwise via the first gear 642b. When the first gear 642b rotates counterclockwise, the second gear 644b also rotates counterclockwise.

[0170] Since the interlocking gear 64b is rotatably supported inside the housing 60b, when the second gear 644b rotates counterclockwise, the driven gear 65b rotates clockwise.

[0171] The roller 20 and the driven gear 65b are connected via a second shaft 652b. Therefore, the roller 20 rotates in the same direction as the rotor 52.

[0172] As shown in the figure, the diameter of each first gear 642b can be set to be larger than the diameter of the driving gear 631b, and the diameter of each second gear 644b can be set to be smaller than the diameter of each first gear 642b.

[0173] When the first gear 642b, the second gear 644b, and the drive gear 631b are configured as described above, the drive unit D can make the roller 20 rotate at fewer revolutions than the rotor 52. That is, the drive unit D can also be used as a speed reducer.

[0174] As described above, in the power transmission unit 6 according to another embodiment of the present invention, since the driving gear 631b meshing with the first gear 642b of the interlocking gear 64b is aligned with the first gear 642b, and the driven gear 65b meshing with the second gear 644b of the interlocking gear 64b is aligned with the second gear 644b, the installation volume of the driving gear 631b, the interlocking gear 64b and the driven gear 65b in the housing 60b can be minimized as much as possible.

[0175] Furthermore, with the driving gear 631b of the first shaft 63b meshing with the first gear 642b of the interlocking gear 64b, and the driven gear 65b of the second shaft 652b meshing with the second gear 644b of the interlocking gear 64b, the first shaft 63b and the second shaft 652b are coaxially connected in the bracket 67b. Therefore, when the rotation of the first shaft 63b is transmitted from the interlocking gear 64b to the driven gear 65b, eccentricity between the first shaft 63b and the driven gear 65b can be prevented.

[0176] Furthermore, the first shaft 63b, which is equipped with the driving gear 631b, the interlocking gear 64b, and the driven gear 65b, which is equipped with the second shaft 652b, are internally connected to the housing 60b in the bracket 67b. The housing 60b is fixed to the fixed panel 15 by the drive unit bracket 4. Therefore, the assembly process of the drive unit D can be simplified.

[0177] The drive unit bracket 4 is connected to the drive unit mounting groove 153 to minimize the weight of the drive unit D and the deformation of the fixed panel 15 caused by external forces generated during the operation of the drive unit D. Figures 11 to 12 As shown.

[0178] The motor 5 and the power transmission part 4 fixed to the drive unit bracket 4 can be interconnected through the drive unit D, so the motor 5 and the power transmission part 4 have a coaxial axis of rotation. That is, the power transmission part 6 can be connected to the center of the drive unit bracket 4, and the outside of the stator 51 can be connected to the outside of the drive unit bracket 4 through a separate connecting element (not shown).

[0179] The drive unit bracket 4 may include a motor connection hole 421 connected to the stator 51, a fixing panel 15 located between the motor connection hole 421 and the stator 51, an annular portion 42 defining an installation space for the housing 60a or 60b at its center, and a housing connection portion 43 protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the annular portion 42 to receive and fix the housing 60a or 60b.

[0180] A protrusion 422 can also be formed protruding from the rear of the fixed panel 15 toward the stator 51 to allow the motor connection hole 421 to form a connection tolerance with the stator 51. The motor connection hole 421 can be formed in the protrusion 422. Therefore, the drive unit bracket 4 and the stator 51 can be connected to the fixed panel 15 in the order of protrusion 422, drive unit mounting groove 153 and stator 51.

[0181] A housing fixing protrusion 68a corresponding to the housing connection portion 43 may protrude from the outer surface of the housing 60a or 60b of the power transmission portion 6. The housing fixing protrusion 68a is formed with the same radius about the rotation axis of the second shaft 652a or 652b of the housing 60a or 60b. A housing fixing hole 69a is formed in the housing fixing protrusion 68a to allow a separate fastening element (not shown) to be inserted therein.

[0182] Multiple housing connection parts 43 and multiple housing fixing protrusions 68a can be provided in a one-to-one correspondence. At least three pairs of housing connection parts 43 and housing fixing protrusions 68a can be provided.

[0183] The motor connection hole 421 and the housing connection portion 43 can be arranged with the same radius around the rotation axis of the second shaft 652a or 652b of the housing 60a or 60b. Therefore, the stator 51 of the motor 5 connected to the motor connection hole 421 and the second shaft 652a or 652b of the housing 60a or 60b connected to the housing connection portion 43 can be connected to the drive unit bracket 4, thus having the same central axis.

[0184] Each housing connection portion 43 is provided with a housing connection claw 431 protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion 42 and a locking protrusion 433 bending from the housing connection claw 431 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the housing 60a or 60b.

[0185] In each housing connection portion 43, a housing connection hole 432 corresponding to the housing fixing hole 69a is formed, and the front surface of the second housing 62a or 62b is mounted on the housing connection hole 432. Individual connection elements can be fixedly inserted into the housing connection hole 432 and the housing fixing hole 69a.

[0186] Each locking protrusion 433 is provided with a locking groove 434 to allow the housing fixing protrusion 68a to be inserted therein. The locking groove 434 is formed in the transverse direction of the locking protrusion 433. When the housing 60a or 60b is mounted in the drive unit bracket 4 and then rotated about its center, the housing fixing protrusion 68a can be inserted into the locking groove 434.

[0187] The housing fixing protrusion 68a may have a housing fixing groove 69b formed at a position corresponding to the locking groove 434. When the housing fixing groove 69b is laterally inserted into the locking groove 434, the housing 60a or 60b can be fixed to the drive unit bracket 4.

[0188] The housing fixing groove 69b can be formed in the form of an inclined surface with an extended inlet. When the housing fixing groove 69b is laterally inserted into the locking groove 434 from the inlet of the housing fixing groove 69b to the interior of the housing fixing groove 69b, the position of the housing 60a or 60b can be moved and fixed to the center of the drive unit bracket 4.

[0189] By connecting the drive unit bracket 4 to the drive unit mounting groove 153, the strength of the fixed panel 15 can be enhanced. Simultaneously, when the housing 60a or 60b is connected to the drive unit bracket 4, the mounting position of the housing 60a or 60b can be corrected to the center of the drive unit bracket 4. Furthermore, by connecting the stator 51 of the motor 5 and the housing 60a or 60b of the power transmission unit 6 to the drive unit bracket 4, the rotation axes of the motor 5 and the power transmission unit 6 can become coaxial.

[0190] The rear cover 23 of the roller 20 may be provided with a plurality of supply holes 158a and 158b arranged in a ring. For example... Figure 2 and Figure 13 As shown, the dryer 100 may also include a guide 324 for uniformly supplying air discharged from the second outlet 157 to the supply holes 158a and 158b.

[0191] As the air moves to a position with lower flow resistance, the air introduced into the tube body 321 through the second outlet 157 flows into the tube body 321 in a clockwise direction when the dryer 100 is not equipped with the guide 324. The flow rate of the air is different from the amount of air flowing into the tube body 321 in a counterclockwise direction.

[0192] For example, when more air flows into the pipe body 321 in a clockwise direction than in a counterclockwise direction, a large amount of air is supplied to the supply hole 158a to the left of the baseline L, while a small amount of air is supplied to the supply hole 158b to the right of the baseline L.

[0193] The aforementioned imbalance in air supply may lead to an imbalance in the amount of air supplied to the clothes in the drum 20. In other words, the phenomenon of air supply varying according to the position of the clothes can cause increased drying time, and some clothes may become over-dried while others become under-dried.

[0194] The flow guide 324 can maintain the amount of air flowing into the pipe body 321 in a clockwise direction equal to or similar to the amount of air flowing into the conduit body 321 in a counterclockwise direction, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem. That is, this is because some of the air introduced into the pipe body 321 by the flow guide 324 moves to the supply hole 158a located on the left side of the flow guide 324, while the remaining air moves to the supply hole 158b on the right side of the flow guide 324.

[0195] In the dryer 100 with the above structure, the tube body 321 surrounds the motor 5 (because the motor 5 is located inside the rotor housing). Therefore, the motor 5 may overheat.

[0196] In order to effectively cool the motor 5 (especially the stator 51), a cooling channel can also be provided in the dryer 100.

[0197] Figure 13 and Figure 14 A cooling channel according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, the cooling channel according to the embodiment is used to cool the motor 5 by circulating air in the housing 1 together with the motor 5.

[0198] The cooling channel may include: a first cooling hole 236 formed below the rear cover 23 to penetrate the housing 1; a second cooling hole 237 formed above the rear cover 23 to penetrate the housing 1; and a tube cover 36 fixed to the outside of the tube body 321 to connect the first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237 to the rotor receiving portion 322.

[0199] The first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237 penetrate the rear cover 23 to circulate the air in the rotor housing 322 and the air in the housing 1, thereby cooling the motor 5 in the rotor housing 322.

[0200] The cover 36 may include: a cover plate 361a covering the rotor receiving portion 322, a first cooling pipe 362a extending below the cover plate 361a toward the first cooling hole 236, and a second cooling pipe 363a extending above the cover plate 361a toward the second cooling hole 237.

[0201] In other words, the tube cover 36 is externally connected to the tube body 321 to form a flow path in which air inside the housing 1 flows to the first cooling hole 236, the rotor housing 322 and the first cooling hole 236.

[0202] Through the heat exchange unit 34 and the supply pipe 32, the air temperature inside the casing 1 is lower than the air temperature of the clothes inside the drying drum 20, and flows to the rotor housing 322 through the cooling channel, thereby cooling the motor 5.

[0203] In addition, the bottom panel 17 may include a separate exhaust fan (not shown) for exhausting air from the inside of the housing 1 to the outside of the housing 1 to cool the heat generated by the compressor 345. Since the hot air heated inside the housing 1 is exhausted to the outside of the housing 1 by the exhaust fan, the air inside the housing 1 may be at a lower temperature than the air inside the heat exchanger 34, the supply pipe 32 and the drum 20.

[0204] In order to facilitate the exhaust of air introduced from the first cooling pipe 362a through the second cooling pipe 363a, and to effectively cool the motor 5, the rotor 52 may also be provided with multiple blades 523.

[0205] Each blade 523 may be provided as a plate protruding from the rotor body 52a toward the tube cover 36. The blade 523 may be provided as a single plate or multiple plates. In any case, the blade 523 is preferably arranged parallel to the radial direction of the rotor body 52a.

[0206] When the blade 523 is set as a plate parallel to the radial direction of the rotor body 52a, the blade 523 can be used as an impeller to force the air in the rotor housing 322 to move during the rotation of the rotor 52.

[0207] The rotor 52 may also include a rotor through-hole 521 extending through the rotor body 52a to more effectively dissipate heat generated in the stator 51 to the rotor housing 322. Multiple rotor through-holes 521 may be arranged in a ring surrounding the first shaft 63a or 63b.

[0208] Each rotor through-hole 521 can be configured as a slit, with its length in the radial direction of the rotor body 52a being longer than its length in the circumferential direction. In this case, each blade 523 can be fixed to the edge of the rotor through-hole 521, which is parallel to the radial direction of the rotor body 52a.

[0209] To cool the motor 5 more effectively, the first cooling pipe 362a, the rotation center of the rotor 52, and the second cooling pipe 363a can be arranged to extend along a single straight line.

[0210] Therefore, when the rotor 52 rotates, external air enters the rotor housing 322 through the first cooling hole 236 and the first cooling pipe 362a. The air introduced into the rotor housing 322 cools the motor 5, and is then discharged to the outside of the rotor housing 322 through the second cooling pipe 363a and the second cooling hole 237.

[0211] Figure 15 and Figure 16 A cooling channel according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, a predetermined portion of the fixed panel 15 is formed as a cooling channel according to another embodiment to cool the motor 5.

[0212] The cap 36 is formed in the form of a shell and has an open surface facing the supply tube 32 to cover the entire supply tube 32. The supply tube 32 is formed in an annular shape along the supply port 158 ​​of the fixed panel 15, and the cap 36 is formed in a rectangular shape to cover the outside of the supply tube 32.

[0213] When the cap 36 covers the supply pipe 32, a space is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the supply pipe 32 and the inner corner of the cap 36, and the first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237 are formed on the fixed panel 15 at positions corresponding to the inner corner of the cap 36.

[0214] The pipe cover 36 may be provided with a cover plate 361b and a cover sidewall 362b, the area of ​​which is larger than the area formed by the supply pipe 32, the first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237; and the cover sidewall is fixed to the fixing panel 15 at a height higher than the supply pipe 32, located on the outer peripheral surface of the cover plate 361b.

[0215] The first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237 can be interconnected through the cover plate 361b and the cover side wall 362b. The motor 5 installed in the rotor housing 322 can be cooled by air passing through the first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237.

[0216] The first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237 serve as channels for airflow into the housing 1. The first cooling hole 236 may be formed on the lower part of the fixed panel 15, and the second cooling hole 237 may be formed on the upper part of the fixed panel 15. The first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237 allow air in the housing 1 to flow into the pipe cover 36. The first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237 may be formed at opposite angles relative to the center of the supply pipe 32.

[0217] To effectively cool the motor 5 and facilitate the exhaust of air introduced from the first cooling hole 236 through the second cooling hole 237, the rotor 52 may also include a plurality of blades 523 serving as impellers during rotation of the rotor 52, and a rotor through-hole 521 penetrating the rotor body 52a. Since the blades 523 and the rotor through-hole 521 have already been described in the embodiments, they will not be described in detail here.

[0218] A circulating fan (not shown) may also be installed in one of the cooling holes 236 and 237 to force air circulation in the housing 1 within the tube cover 36. When a circulating fan is installed, the motor 5 can be cooled more effectively.

[0219] Although the dryer 100 has been described above in the context of a circulating drying system, the dryer 100 can also be applied to an exhaust drying system. A circulating drying system refers to a drying scheme in which air discharged from the drum 20 is sequentially dehumidified and heated, and then the high-temperature dry air is supplied back to the drum 20. An exhaust drying system refers to a drying scheme in which external air is heated and supplied to the drum 20, and after heat exchange, the air discharged from the drum 20 is exhausted to the outside of the casing 1.

[0220] When the dryer 100 is configured as an exhaust-type drying system, the supply unit 3 may include an exhaust pipe that connects the first outlet 128 and the second outlet 157, a supply pipe that supplies external air (air inside or outside the housing) to the drum 20, and a heat exchange unit that heats the air introduced into the supply pipe.

[0221] The above description is only for illustrating the technical concept of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from its spirit or scope.

[0222] Therefore, the above detailed description should be understood in all respects as illustrative rather than restrictive. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, not by the above description, and all variations within the meaning and scope of the appended claims should be included therein.

Claims

1. A dryer, comprising: The roller includes: The roller body defines the space constructed to receive clothing; A front cover defines the front surface of the roller body, and the front cover defines a roller inlet in spatial communication with the roller body; and The rear cover defines the rear surface of the roller body; A fixed panel, spaced apart from the rear cover, defines a panel through-hole; The motor includes a stator disposed in the through-hole of the panel and a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator; The power transmission unit includes: The housing is fixed to the fixed panel; A first shaft is located at the housing and connected to the rotor; A second shaft, located at the housing and connected to the rear cover; and An interlocking gear, located within the housing and configured to reduce the rotational speed of the first shaft, the interlocking gear being configured to transmit rotational force from the first shaft to the second shaft; and a drive unit bracket, disposed at the panel through-hole to reinforce the fixed panel. The drive unit bracket and the stator are connected to the fixed panel in the order of the drive unit bracket, the fixed panel, and the stator.

2. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein, The drive unit bracket includes: The annular portion, overlapping the circumferential surface of the through-hole in the panel, is fixed to the fixed panel and supports the stator; and The housing connection portion protrudes from the inside of the annular portion and supports the outside of the housing.

3. The dryer of claim 2, wherein, The annular portion defines a plurality of connecting holes on the circumferential surface facing the through-hole of the panel, and The stator passes through the fixed panel and is fixed to the plurality of connection holes.

4. The dryer of claim 3, wherein, The annular portion includes a protrusion that extends through the panel through-hole and protrudes toward the fixed panel.

5. The dryer of claim 2, wherein, The housing includes a plurality of fixing protrusions located on the outer peripheral surface of the housing and extending radially relative to the center of the housing. The housing connection portion includes a plurality of housing connection claws, which protrude toward the center of the annular portion, and each of the plurality of housing connection claws is located at a position corresponding to one of the plurality of fixed protrusions.

6. The dryer of claim 5, wherein, Each of the plurality of housing connecting claws defines a housing connecting hole, and Each of the plurality of fixing protrusions defines a fixing hole, which is connected to one of the housing connection holes via a connecting member.

7. The dryer of claim 6, wherein, The plurality of housing connecting claws each include a plurality of locking protrusions, each of the plurality of locking protrusions extending in the insertion direction of the housing, and Each of the plurality of fixed protrusions is supported by one of the plurality of locking protrusions and extends in a direction transverse to one of the plurality of locking protrusions.

8. The dryer of claim 7, wherein, Each of the plurality of locking protrusions defines a locking groove for receiving one of the plurality of fixing protrusions.

9. The dryer of claim 7, wherein, Each of the plurality of retaining protrusions defines a retaining groove, the retaining groove receiving one of the plurality of housing connecting claws.

10. The dryer of claim 7, wherein, The plurality of locking protrusions respectively define a plurality of locking slots, each of the plurality of locking slots receiving one of the plurality of locking protrusions, and The plurality of fixing protrusions define a plurality of fixing grooves, and each of the plurality of fixing grooves is connected to one of the plurality of locking grooves.

11. The dryer of claim 10, wherein, At least one of the plurality of locking slots or at least one of the plurality of fixing slots defines an inclined surface at its entrance.

12. The dryer of claim 10, wherein, Based on the rotation of the housing around its center, one of the plurality of locking slots and one of the plurality of fixing slots are configured to insert into each other.

13. The dryer of claim 5, wherein, The number of the plurality of fixed protrusions is greater than or equal to three, and The number of the plurality of housing connecting claws is greater than or equal to three.

14. The dryer of claim 1, wherein, The fixed panel is located between the drive unit bracket and the stator, and The drive unit bracket and the fixed panel support the stator.

15. The dryer of claim 1, wherein, The power transmission unit also includes: A drive gear, defined at one end of the first shaft and configured to transmit the rotational force to the interlocking gear; and The driven gear is positioned at one end of the second shaft and configured to receive the rotational force from the interlocking gear. The interlocking gears include: A first gear, meshing with the driving gear and configured to rotate via the driving gear, and The second gear meshes with the driven gear and is configured to rotate coaxially with the first gear, wherein the diameter of the second gear is smaller than the diameter of the first gear.

16. The dryer of claim 1, wherein, The first shaft, the second shaft, and the rotor are coaxial.

17. The dryer of claim 1, wherein, The outer peripheral surface of the housing includes a flat portion and a curved portion extending from the flat portion, and The drive unit bracket defines grooves corresponding to the flat and curved portions of the housing.

18. The dryer of claim 17, wherein, The drive unit bracket also defines a bracket through hole within the groove, and the bracket through hole communicates with the panel through hole.

19. The dryer according to claim 2 further includes a seal, the seal being located at the drive unit bracket or the fixed panel and covering the circumferential surface of the panel through hole.

20. The dryer of claim 19, wherein, The power transmission unit is located between the seal and the motor along the rotation axis of the rotor.

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