Fan and washing and drying machine and drying machine comprising same

Abstract

The invention provides a fan. The fan comprises a motor; a centrifugal impeller provided on a rotating shaft of the motor; a scroll flow path provided around the centrifugal impeller; an expanded flow path provided at the downstream end of the scroll flow path; and a heater provided at a downstream end portion of the expanded flow path, and a protruding portion is provided in the expanded flow path from a radially outer wall surface toward a radially inner wall surface when viewed from the centrifugal impeller. As a result, in the fan including the centrifugal impeller and the heater, the flow of air to the heater can be made uniform, and an increase in flow path resistance can be suppressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a fan and a washing and drying machine and a drying machine comprising the fan. Background Art

[0002] The drying of clothes by a washing and drying machine is performed continuously from washing to drying. High-temperature, low-humidity air is produced by a fan and a heating mechanism, blown into a washing tub, and the temperature of the clothes is increased, water evaporates from the clothes, and the evaporated water is discharged to the outside of the machine. At this time, in order to improve the heating efficiency of the heating unit, the airflow generated by the fan is preferably provided to the heating unit at a uniform flow rate.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses the following structure: in a warm air unit 22 built into a washing and drying machine, in order to make the flow distribution discharged from the exhaust port 208 to the heater 24 for heating by the rotation of the air supply fan 202 nearly uniform, a raised portion 211 is formed on the rear end 209 side so as to narrow the exhaust port 208 toward the head 210. The raised portion 211 is located between the rear end 209 and one end of the heater 24, and is formed into a shape that is raised higher in the center relative to the rear end 209.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-285235 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] The warm air unit described in Patent Document 1 is a structure that realizes flow uniformity by providing a raised portion toward the head (tongue) of the fan. However, in the structure described in Patent Document 1, since the raised portion is provided toward the head, the bulge of the raised portion exists in the vortex, and the flow path cross-sectional area near the impeller with a high flow velocity becomes smaller. Therefore, the friction loss between the fluid and the wall surface increases, and there is a concern that the fan efficiency will be reduced.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to make the flow of air to a heater uniform and to suppress an increase in flow path resistance in a fan including a centrifugal impeller and a heater.

[0010] Methods for solving problems

[0011] The fan of the present invention includes: an electric motor; a centrifugal impeller arranged on the rotating shaft of the above-mentioned electric motor; a vortex flow path arranged around the above-mentioned centrifugal impeller; an extended flow path arranged at the downstream end of the above-mentioned vortex flow path; and a heater arranged at the downstream end of the above-mentioned extended flow path, and when observed from the above-mentioned centrifugal impeller, a convex portion is arranged in the above-mentioned extended flow path from the radial outer wall surface toward the radial inner wall surface.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, in a fan including a centrifugal impeller and a heater, it is possible to make the flow of air to the heater uniform and suppress an increase in flow path resistance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing a washing machine including the fan according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the fan according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the fan of the embodiment as viewed from the fan cover side.

[0017] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the fan of the embodiment as viewed from the motor side.

[0018] Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view showing the electric heater of the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 6 It is a plan view showing a state where a fan cover is removed from the fan of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 The vertical cross-sectional view of the washing machine including the fan of the embodiment is shown. In addition, the following description is made by taking a vertical washing and drying machine as an example, but it can also be applied to a drum-type washing and drying machine and a drum drying machine in which an inlet and outlet for washing is formed on the front side.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the washing machine S includes an outer frame 1 as a housing, an outer tub 2 for storing washing water, a rotating tub 3, a driving motor 10, a fan 22, etc. The outer tub 2 is built into the outer frame 1 and is supported by the outer frame 1 to prevent vibration. The rotating tub 3 is a washing tub and a dehydrating tub for storing laundry such as clothes to be washed and dried, and is arranged inside the outer tub 2. In addition, the rotating tub 3 is supported in the outer tub 2 in a rotatable manner.

[0023] A stirring blade 4 for stirring the laundry to wash is rotatably provided at the bottom of the rotary tub 3. The stirring blade 4 repeats forward and reverse rotations during washing and drying operations.

[0024] In addition, during the dehydration operation, the stirring blades 4 rotate at a high speed together with the rotary tub 3. Most of the water in the laundry in the rotary tub 3 is removed by dehydration.

[0025] In addition, an outer cover 5 is provided on the upper part of the outer frame 1. The outer cover 5 is provided on the top cover 6 provided on the upper part of the outer frame 1 in a freely openable and closable manner. An inner cover 34 is provided on the upper part of the outer tub 2 in a freely openable and closable manner. By opening the outer cover 5 and the inner cover 34, the laundry can be taken out and put in relative to the rotating tub 3. In addition, the left side in the figure is the front side of the washing machine S.

[0026] In addition, the washing machine S includes a drying mechanism. The drying mechanism circulates and supplies drying air for drying the laundry in the rotary drum 3 and performs dehumidification. In addition, the drying mechanism is mainly composed of a drying air circulation path 9 and a fan 22. The drying air circulation path 9 includes a bottom circulation path 20 connected to the bottom of the outer drum 2 in a manner communicating with the bottom of the outer drum 2, and a dehumidification longitudinal passage 21 extending upward from the bottom circulation path 20.

[0027] The suction side of the fan 22 is connected to the upper side of the dehumidification longitudinal passage 21. The discharge side of the fan 22 is connected in a manner communicating with the return connection circulation path 25. In addition, a drying filter 45 is arranged between the fan 22 and the dehumidification longitudinal passage 21 to prevent foreign matter from flowing into the fan 22. The fan 22 has an electric heater built in.

[0028] The return connection circulation path 25 has an upper bellows hose 23 and is connected to the upper part of the outer tub 2 via the upper bellows hose 23. The bottom circulation path 20 also has a lower bellows hose 26 and is connected to the bottom of the outer tub 2 via the lower bellows hose 26.

[0029] The lower bellows hose 26 is connected to the bottom lowering portion 31 of the outer tub 2. The bottom lowering portion 31 is connected to the washing water drainage path 42 and the washing water circulation water path 43 via the lower connecting pipe 41. A drain valve 44 is provided in the washing water drainage path 42. A foreign matter removal trap 32 is provided in the washing water circulation water path 43.

[0030] In summary, the drying mechanism is constructed such that the drying air delivered from the fan 22 passes through the return connection circulation path 25, the outer barrel 2, the bottom lowering portion 31, the lower corrugated hose 26 and the drying air circulation path 9 in sequence and returns to the fan 22.

[0031] The drain valve 44 is closed during the washing operation and the drying operation. In addition, the drain valve 44 is opened when draining the washing water, and the washing water accumulated in the outer tub 2 is discharged from the washing water drain passage 42 to the outside of the washing machine S (outside the machine).

[0032] In the washing machine S, the centrifugal impeller 300 (see Figure 2 ) rotates, and the drying air circulates in the rotating tub 3, so that the laundry in the rotating tub 3 is dried. Figure 3 ), the drying air after the moisture condenses in the dehumidification area is reheated and flows in the rotary drum 3, so that the moisture of the laundry is further evaporated. The laundry is dried by repeatedly removing the moisture in the circulation of the drying air.

[0033] Hereinafter, the fan according to the embodiment will be described in detail.

[0034] [Example]

[0035] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the fan according to the embodiment.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the fan 22 includes a fan cover 51, a fan housing 52, a motor 100 and a centrifugal impeller 300. In addition, the fan cover 51 and the fan housing 52 constitute a housing 500. The fan 22 is installed in the washing machine S (see FIG. 1 ) with the fan cover 51 of the fan 22 facing downward. Figure 1 ) frame 1 (refer to Figure 1 ) However, the installation method of the fan 22 is not limited to this.

[0037] The fan cover 51 is formed with an inlet 57 and an outlet 58. The inlet 57 is connected to the dry filter 45 (see Figure 1 ) and the dehumidification longitudinal passage 21 (refer to Figure 1 The exhaust port 58 is connected to the return circulation path 25 (see Figure 1 )connect.

[0038] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the fan of this embodiment as viewed from the fan cover side.

[0039] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the fan of this embodiment as viewed from the motor side.

[0040] like Figure 3As shown, the fan cover 51 has a shape elongated in one direction, and has a suction port 57 formed on one side in the longitudinal direction and a discharge port 58 formed on the other side in the longitudinal direction. The suction port 57 is a circular through hole, and faces the center of the suction opening 302 (suction part) of the centrifugal impeller 300.

[0041] The discharge port 58 is a circular through hole, and is located on the downstream side of the electric heater 24. The discharge port 58 is formed to have a diameter larger than that of the suction port 57. The suction port 57 and the discharge port 58 are arranged in substantially the same direction.

[0042] In addition, screw fixing portions 91 for screw-fixing to fan case 52 are formed at a plurality of locations on the peripheral edge of fan cover 51 .

[0043] The fan case 52 has a shape corresponding to the fan cover 51. When the fan case 52 and the fan cover 51 are combined, a space in which the centrifugal impeller 300 and the electric heater 24 are arranged is formed between the fan cover 51 and the fan case 52.

[0044] The fan case 52 has a shaft insertion hole 80 for inserting the rotating shaft 101 of the motor 100. The fan case 52 has a screw insertion portion 92 formed on its outer periphery at a position corresponding to the screw fixing portion 91 of the fan cover 51 for inserting a screw (not shown).

[0045] In addition, a vortex flow path 70 is formed on the outer periphery (outer side in the radial direction) of the centrifugal impeller 300 by the fan case 52 and the fan cover 51. The vortex flow path 70 is formed in such a way that the flow path width on the tongue portion 71 side is narrower, and the flow path width gradually widens in the clockwise direction from the tongue portion 71. In addition, the tongue portion 71 is the starting point of the vortex flow path 70. In addition, the outlet of the vortex flow path 70 is a vortex discharge port 72.

[0046] Furthermore, an extended flow path 73 is provided between the swirl discharge port 72 and the electric heater 24. The extended flow path 73 is provided so that the extended flow path outlet 74 has a larger cross-sectional area than the extended flow path 73 inlet (swirl discharge port 72).

[0047] Furthermore, when viewed from the centrifugal impeller 300, the extended flow path 73 has a convex portion 75 that bulges from the radially outer wall surface 76 toward the radially inner wall surface 77. If the surface passing through the vertex A of the convex portion 75 and parallel to the extended flow path outlet 74 is taken as the convex flow path section 78, the area of ​​the convex flow path section 78 is smaller than the vortex discharge port 72. In addition, the vortex discharge port 72, the extended flow path outlet 74 and the convex flow path section 78 are surfaces parallel to the front surface (regarded as a plane) of the electric heater 24. Here, the normal line of the vortex discharge port 72 (flow path section) does not intersect with the rotation axis 101 (rotation center axis) of the centrifugal impeller 300. Therefore, it can be said that the radially outer wall surface 76 is located at a position farther from the rotation axis 101 in the radial direction than the radially inner wall surface 77. Therefore, in this specification, terms such as "radially outer side" and "radially inner side" are used.

[0048] Furthermore, the flow path length L1 from the apex A of the convex portion 75 to the extended flow path outlet 74 is set to be larger than the width L2 of the heating portion 201 of the electric heater 24 .

[0049] The motor 100 has a rotating shaft 101 coupled to the centrifugal impeller 300 at the center in the radial direction, and is mounted on the fan case 52. In addition, the motor 100 has a rotor fixed to the rotating shaft 101, a stator provided around the rotor, and a bearing rotatably supporting the rotating shaft 101. In addition, the motor 100 has a substantially cylindrical housing 102 that accommodates the rotor, the stator, and the bearing.

[0050] The centrifugal impeller 300 is formed by combining a cover plate 301, a hub plate 311 and blades 321. The cover plate 301 is formed with a circular suction opening 302 at the center in the radial direction. The hub plate 311 is formed with an axial hole (not shown) for fixing the rotating shaft 101. The blades 321 are configured to be sandwiched by the cover plate 301 and the hub plate 311 from both sides of the axial direction Ax.

[0051] Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view showing the electric heater of this embodiment.

[0052] As shown in this figure, the electric heater 24 is composed of: a rectangular heating part 201 including multiple fins as a heat-generating part; a terminal part 202 connecting the heating part 201 to the circuit; a heating part fixing part 203 fixing the heating part 201; and a terminal part fixing part 204 fixing the terminal part 202.

[0053] like Figure 3As shown, in the fan 22, the centrifugal impeller 300 rotates in the W direction, thereby sucking air (fluid) from the suction opening 302 through the suction port 57, and the air flows out from the outer periphery of the centrifugal impeller 300. The outflowing air flows into the expansion flow path 73 through the vortex flow path 70. Then, the air is heated by the electric heater 24 and flows toward the discharge port 58. The heated air flowing out of the discharge port 58 flows into the outer barrel 2 (refer to Figure 1 ).

[0054] Next, the features and effects of this embodiment are described.

[0055] Figure 6 It is a plan view showing a state where the fan cover is removed from the fan of this embodiment.

[0056] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment, the fluid flowing out of the centrifugal impeller 300 flows into the vortex flow path 70 and then flows to the extended flow path 73. At this time, at the inlet (vortex discharge port 72) of the extended flow path 73, due to the influence of centrifugal force, the flow velocity on the radially outer wall surface 76 side is greater than that on the radially inner wall surface 77 side, resulting in a biased flow. In the case where the extended flow path 73 does not have the convex portion 75, the flow maintains the flow velocity distribution state and reaches the electric heater 24, and a uniform flow cannot be provided to the electric heater 24.

[0057] Here, the vortex discharge port 72 is defined as a plane passing through the tongue 71 and parallel to the front surface of the electric heater 24. In the present figure, it coincides with the position of the upright portion (upstream end) of the convex portion 75. However, the upright portion of the convex portion 75 is not limited to this position, and may also be arranged at a position downstream of this position. The flow path upstream of the vortex discharge port 72 is included in the vortex flow path 70. Convexities and recesses are intentionally not provided in the vortex flow path 70. Therefore, the flow path wall of the vortex flow path 70 has a shape close to a shape that is theoretically suitable as the vortex flow path 70.

[0058] like Figure 6 As shown, when the extended flow path 73 has a convex portion 75, the direction of the flow on the radially outer side is changed by the convex portion 75, and a part of the flow goes radially inward. As a result, the bias of the flow in the extended flow path 73 becomes smaller, and the flow rate of the air flowing into the electric heater 24 can be made roughly uniform.

[0059] At this time, if the flow path length L1 cannot be sufficiently long, after the flow is changed by the projection 75 , the flow reaches the electric heater 24 before being diffused, and a uniform flow may not be provided to the electric heater 24 .

[0060] Therefore, in this embodiment, the convex portion 75 is provided so that at least the flow path length L1 is greater than the width L2 of the heating portion of the electric heater 24. Thus, the flow changed by the convex portion 75 can be sufficiently diffused before reaching the electric heater 24, and the electric heater 24 can provide a uniform flow.

[0061] When a line B (shown by a dotted line in the figure) is drawn that passes through the vertex A of the convex portion 75 and is perpendicular to the surface on the upstream side of the electric heater 24, the line B preferably passes through the heating portion 201 ( Figure 5 ) is located at the center of the radially outer wall surface 76. Thus, the flow changed by the convex portion 75 does not reach the electric heater 24 with excessive bias toward the radially inner wall surface 77, so a more uniform flow can be imparted to the heater.

[0062] In addition, in the present embodiment, the convex portion 75 is provided in the downstream expansion flow path 73, not in the vortex flow path 70. Thus, the convex portion 75 can be provided without narrowing the flow path cross-sectional area around the centrifugal impeller 300 having a large flow velocity, and a uniform flow can be imparted to the electric heater 24 without significantly increasing the friction loss between the fluid and the wall surface forming the vortex flow path 70.

[0063] As described above, the fan 22 of this embodiment includes: an electric motor 100; a rotating shaft 101 rotatably arranged on the electric motor 100; a centrifugal impeller 300 arranged on the rotating shaft 101; a vortex flow path 70 arranged around the centrifugal impeller 300; an extended flow path 73 arranged downstream of the vortex flow path 70; a protrusion 75 arranged in the extended flow path 73; and an electric heater 24 arranged downstream of the extended flow path.

[0064] By expanding the convex portion 75 in the flow path 73 , a part of the flow biased toward the radially outer side can be guided toward the radially inner side, and a uniform flow can be applied to the electric heater 24 .

[0065] Furthermore, since the projection 75 is provided so that the flow path length L1 is greater than the width L2 of the heating portion of the electric heater 24 , the flow changed by the projection 75 is sufficiently diffused before reaching the electric heater 24 , and a more uniform flow can be provided to the electric heater 24 .

[0066] In addition, when drawing a line B passing through the vertex A of the protrusion 75 and perpendicular to the upstream side surface of the electric heater 24, the protrusion 75 is arranged in a manner that the line B passes through the radial outer wall 76 side closer to the center of the heating portion 201 of the electric heater 24, so that the changed flow will not be too biased towards the radial inner wall 77 side and reach the electric heater 24, thereby providing the electric heater 24 with a more uniform flow.

[0067] In addition, by setting the protrusion 75 in the expanded flow path 73 downstream thereof instead of in the vortex flow path 70, the protrusion 75 can be set without narrowing the flow path cross-sectional area around the centrifugal impeller 300 with a high flow rate, and a uniform flow can be given to the electric heater 24 without significantly increasing the friction loss between the fluid and the wall surface forming the vortex flow path 70.

[0068] In addition, about Figure 6 The slope of the curve of the convex portion 75 shown becomes gentler on the downstream side than on the upstream side of the vertex A of the convex portion 75. With such a structure, it is possible to suppress the flow separation of air passing near the convex portion 75. This improves the efficiency of the fan and suppresses noise.

[0069] In addition, the fan 22 of this embodiment is provided in the washing machine S. The fan 22 can improve the heating efficiency of the electric heater 24 while suppressing the performance degradation, so that the power consumption of the washing machine S can be reduced.

[0070] In addition, in the warm air unit described in Patent Document 1, an upright portion of a raised portion is provided on the upstream side of the vortex outlet based on the above definition. Therefore, the flow path resistance in the vortex flow path, that is, the upstream side of the vortex outlet, is large. In addition, the distance from the vertex of the raised portion to the heater is very short compared to the width of the heater. Therefore, the air passing through the vortex outlet reaches the heater before its flow velocity distribution becomes uniform.

[0071] The embodiments of the present invention can solve the problems of Patent Document 1.

[0072] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be summarized and described.

[0073] In the fan, the extended flow path is a range from the downstream end of the vortex flow path, ie, the vortex discharge port, to the front surface of the heating portion of the heater, and the vortex discharge port is parallel to the front surface of the heating portion.

[0074] The length of the flow path from the apex of the convex portion to the front surface of the heating portion of the heater is set to be longer than the width of the heating portion of the heater.

[0075] The convex portion is provided so that a perpendicular line to the front surface of the heating portion of the heater and a perpendicular line passing through the vertex of the convex portion pass through the radially outer wall surface side of the expansion flow path rather than the center of the heating portion.

[0076] The washing and drying machine comprises the above-mentioned fan.

[0077] The dryer includes the above-mentioned fan.

[0078] Description of Reference Numerals

[0079] 1: Outer frame

[0080] 2: Outer barrel

[0081] 3: Rotating barrel

[0082] 9: Drying air circulation path

[0083] 20: Bottom loop path

[0084] 21: Vertical passage for dehumidification

[0085] 22: Fan

[0086] 23: Upper corrugated hose

[0087] 24: Electric heater

[0088] 25: Return connection loop path

[0089] 26: Lower corrugated hose

[0090] 31: Bottom lowering

[0091] 45: Dry filter

[0092] 51: Fan cover

[0093] 52: Fan case

[0094] 57: Suction port

[0095] 58: Exhaust port

[0096] 70: Vortex flow path

[0097] 71: Tongue

[0098] 72: Vortex discharge port

[0099] 73: Extended flow path

[0100] 74: Extended flow path outlet

[0101] 75: convex part

[0102] 76: radial outer wall

[0103] 77: Radial inner wall

[0104] 78: Convex flow path cross section

[0105] 100: Electric motor

[0106] 101: Rotation axis

[0107] 201: Heating unit

[0108] 300: Centrifugal impeller

[0109] 301: Cover plate

[0110] 302: Suction opening

[0111] 311: Hub plate

[0112] 321: Blade

[0113] S: Washing machine.

Claims

1. A fan, characterized in that: include: Electric motor; A centrifugal impeller disposed on the rotating shaft of the motor; A vortex flow path disposed around the centrifugal impeller; An expansion flow path provided at a downstream end of the swirl flow path; and a heater disposed at the downstream end of the extended flow path, When viewed from the centrifugal impeller, a convex portion is formed in the expansion flow path from the radially outer wall surface to the radially inner wall surface.

2. The fan according to claim 1, characterized in that: The extended flow path is a range from a vortex discharge port, which is the downstream end of the vortex flow path, to a front surface of a heating portion of the heater. The vortex discharge port is parallel to the front surface of the heating portion.

3. The fan according to claim 1, characterized in that: A flow path length from the apex of the convex portion to the front surface of the heating portion of the heater is formed to be longer than a width of the heating portion of the heater.

4. The fan according to claim 1, characterized in that: The convex portion is formed so that a perpendicular line to the front surface of the heating portion of the heater and a perpendicular line passing through the apex of the convex portion passes closer to the radially outer wall surface side of the expansion flow path than the center of the heating portion.

5. A washing and drying machine, characterized in that: The invention comprises the fan according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A dryer, characterized in that: The invention comprises the fan according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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