Drum-type laundry treatment device

Abstract

The invention provides a drum-type clothes processing device which can ensure drying performance and can realize miniaturization. The drum-type clothes treatment device comprises a drying device, an outer drum and an inner drum, the drying device comprises an air path shell, an evaporator, a condenser, a fan and a compressor, when the drum-type clothes treatment device is overlooked, the fan and the compressor are located on the different sides of the center line of the inner drum in the front-back direction, and at least part of a volute of the fan is overlapped with the outer drum. The condenser is installed in the air path shell in a non-vertical state, and air flowing in the air path shell passes through the condenser from bottom to top.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drum - type laundry treating apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the demand for drum - type laundry treating apparatuses with a drying function is increasing. Such drum - type laundry treating apparatuses include all - in - one washer - dryers having both washing and drying functions, and dryers having only a drying function, etc. Among them, built - in drum - type laundry treating apparatuses that can be installed on a balcony or the like are highly favored. Compared with ordinary drum - type laundry treating apparatuses, built - in drum - type laundry treating apparatuses have higher requirements for miniaturization, which is conducive to saving installation space.

[0003] In addition, in a drum - type laundry treating apparatus, as a method for realizing the drying function, a heat pump system is being increasingly adopted due to advantages such as energy conservation and gentleness to clothes. In a drum - type laundry treating apparatus equipped with a heat pump system, for example, as in CN102535087A (Patent Document 1), the heat pump system is usually arranged above the outer drum, and the fan in the heat pump system is usually arranged behind the outer drum. This results in a relatively large overall size of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus, such as a relatively large thickness dimension in the front - rear direction and a relatively large height dimension in the up - down direction, and cannot meet the miniaturization requirements of the built - in drum - type laundry treating apparatus.

[0004] Moreover, in order to improve the drying efficiency and shorten the drying time, it is conceivable to increase the heat exchange area of the heat pump system. However, this also easily leads to an increase in the volume of the heat pump system, and further leads to an increase in the external dimensions of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus, especially the external dimensions in the height direction, deviating from the development direction of miniaturization of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present invention has been completed in view of the above - mentioned situation, and its object is to provide a drum - type laundry treating apparatus that can ensure drying performance and achieve miniaturization.

[0007] Solutions to the Problems

[0008] The present invention provides a drum - type laundry treatment device, characterized in that the drum - type laundry treatment device includes a drying device, an outer tub, and an inner tub. The inner tub is rotatably installed inside the outer tub for receiving laundry. The drying device is located above the outer tub and uses heated air to dry the laundry inside the inner tub. The drying device includes: an air duct housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, and the air inlet and the air outlet are respectively communicated with the inner cavity of the inner tub; an evaporator configured inside the air duct housing for dehumidifying the air led out from inside the inner tub; a condenser configured inside the air duct housing at a position downstream of the evaporator in the air flow direction for heating the air passing through the evaporator; a blower for making air flow, thereby leading the air inside the inner tub into the air duct housing through the air inlet and leading the air that has passed through the evaporator and the condenser into the inner tub through the air outlet; and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant flowing in the evaporator and the condenser. When looking down at the drum - type laundry treatment device, the blower and the compressor are located on different sides of the center line in the front - rear direction of the inner tub, and at least a part of the volute of the blower overlaps with the outer tub. The condenser is installed inside the air duct housing in a non - vertical state, and the air flowing inside the air duct housing passes through the condenser from bottom to top.

[0009] Thereby, the space above the outer tub inside the housing can be fully utilized, ensuring the drying performance of the drum - type laundry treatment device. And for the thickness dimension of the drum - type laundry treatment device in the front - rear direction, compared with the prior art, the increase amount caused by arranging the blower can be reduced. Therefore, the overall thickness dimension of the drum - type laundry treatment device can be reduced, realizing miniaturization.

[0010] Preferably, the blower is arranged above the outer tub in such a way that the rotation axis of the fan is in a non - vertical state.

[0011] Thereby, the overall thickness dimension and height dimension of the drum - type laundry treatment device can be further reduced, realizing miniaturization.

[0012] Preferably, the rotation axis of the fan is substantially perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of the outer tub.

[0013] Thereby, the overall thickness dimension and height dimension of the drum - type laundry treatment device can be further reduced, realizing miniaturization.

[0014] Preferably, the air suction port of the blower is located behind the condenser, and the air that has passed through the condenser flows backward and then turns downward and enters the fan.

[0015] Thus, the blower can be arranged to extend downward relative to the air suction port, avoiding an increase in the height dimension of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus due to the blower.

[0016] Preferably, the rotating shaft of the fan is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the inner cylinder.

[0017] Thus, the overall height dimension of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus can be further reduced, achieving miniaturization.

[0018] Preferably, the blower further includes a motor for driving the fan to rotate, and the fan is located above the motor.

[0019] Thus, the overall height dimension of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus can be further reduced, achieving miniaturization.

[0020] Preferably, when looking down at the drum - type laundry treating apparatus, the whole of the blower overlaps with the outer cylinder.

[0021] Thus, the overall thickness dimension of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus can be further reduced, achieving miniaturization.

[0022] Preferably, the condenser is a micro - channel condenser, and / or the evaporator is a micro - channel evaporator. The evaporator and the condenser are arranged along the rotation direction of the inner cylinder and configured in an inverted V - shape, and the evaporator is located directly above the rotation axis of the inner cylinder.

[0023] Thus, the space above the outer cylinder can be fully utilized, and the heat - exchange area of the evaporator and the condenser can be increased as much as possible. Thereby, while ensuring miniaturization in the height direction of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus, the drying efficiency can be improved and the drying time can be shortened.

[0024] Preferably, the blower is arranged at a position downstream of the condenser in the air - flow direction, and a discharge hole for communicating the inside and outside of the volute of the blower is provided in the volute.

[0025] Thus, even if washing water, foam, etc. in the inner cylinder enter the inner cavity of the volute through the air outlet member during the washing program of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus, the washing water, foam, etc. entering the inner cavity of the volute can be discharged through the discharge hole. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the situation that the washing water, foam, etc. remaining in the inner cavity of the volute soak the motor or the fan blades, etc., resulting in damage to the blower, and the service life of the blower can be extended.

[0026] Preferably, the discharge hole is provided at the position that becomes the lowest point of the inner cavity of the volute.

[0027] Thus, it is possible to reliably ensure the discharge of the washing water, foam, etc. entering the inner cavity of the volute.

[0028] Preferably, the discharge hole is provided on the bottom surface of the volute.

[0029] Thereby, it is possible to smoothly discharge the washing water, foam, etc. that enter the inner cavity of the volute.

[0030] Preferably, the discharge hole extends downward in parallel with the rotation axis of the fan of the blower.

[0031] Thereby, when manufacturing the volute by methods such as injection molding, demolding is easy, which is beneficial to reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0032] Preferably, the discharge hole extends in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the fan of the blower.

[0033] Thereby, it is possible to discharge the washing water, foam, etc. that enter the inner cavity of the volute, and at the same time, it is possible to suppress the leakage of air in the air passage to the outside through the discharge hole.

[0034] Preferably, in the front - rear direction of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus, the blower is located behind the condenser and is offset to one side in the left - right direction of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus with respect to the rotation axis of the inner cylinder.

[0035] Thereby, the space above the outer cylinder can be fully utilized to achieve miniaturization.

[0036] Preferably, the discharge hole is provided at a position on the side wall of the volute close to the housing of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus.

[0037] Thereby, it is possible to reliably ensure the discharge of the washing water, foam, etc. that enter the inner cavity of the volute.

[0038] Preferably, the discharge hole is communicated with any one of the outer cylinder, the air outlet, and the drainage pump assembly via a pipeline.

[0039] Thereby, it is possible to recycle the washing water, foam, etc. that enter the volute of the blower.

[0040] Preferably, the aperture of the discharge hole is set to 3 mm to 15 mm.

[0041] Thereby, the situation of air leakage in the air passage due to the discharge hole can be ignored.

[0042] Effects of the Invention

[0043] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a drum - type laundry treating apparatus that can ensure the drying performance and achieve miniaturization. Description of the Drawings

[0044] The drawings included in and forming a part of the specification illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the present invention together with the specification, and are used to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 1 is a top view of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the first embodiment with the top wall plate of the housing removed.

[0046] Figure 2 is of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the first embodiment Figure 1 sectional view taken along line A-A.

[0047] Figure 3 is a right view of the drying device of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0048] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the drying device of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the first embodiment with the upper housing removed, as viewed from the side front.

[0049] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the first embodiment with the housing and the upper housing of the drying device removed, as viewed from the side rear.

[0050] Figure 6 is a rear view for explaining the blower of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0051] Figure 7 is a perspective view for explaining the blower of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0052] Figure 8 is a partially enlarged sectional view for explaining the blower of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0053] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the second embodiment with the housing and the upper housing of the drying device removed, as viewed from the side rear.

[0054] Figure 10 is a rear view for explaining the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0055] Figure 11 is a top view for explaining the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0056] Figure 12 is a partially enlarged perspective view for explaining the blower of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0057] Explanation of reference numerals

[0058] 1: Drum-type laundry treating apparatus; 10: Outer casing; 14: Upper space portion; 20: Outer tub; 22: Shock absorber; 30: Inner tub; 40: Drying apparatus; 50: Air passage housing; 51: Air inlet member; 511: Bellows portion; 52: Air outlet member; 521: First pipe; 5211: Bellows portion; 522: Second pipe; 53: Housing main body; 55: Air inlet; 56: Air outlet; 57: Upper housing; 571: Partition; 58: Lower housing; 581: Bottom wall portion; 582: Peripheral wall portion; 583: Compressor accommodating portion; 60: Evaporator; 61: Windward surface; 62: Air outlet surface; 63: Upper end; 64: Lower end; 70: Condenser; 71: Windward surface; 72: Air outlet surface; 73: Upper end; 74: Lower end; 80: Fan; 800: Fan; 801: Volute; 8011, 8012: Discharge holes; M: Motor; M1: Rotating shaft; 85: Compressor; X: Axis of rotation; S1: First air passage region; S2: Second air passage region; S3: Third air passage region. Detailed implementation manners

[0059] Next, the detailed implementation manners of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] As the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the present invention, a washing and drying integrated machine having both washing function and drying function will be taken as an example for description below. Those skilled in the art can understand that the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the present invention can also be a dryer having only drying function.

[0061] First implementation manner

[0062] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the drum-type laundry treating apparatus 1 includes: an outer casing 10, which forms a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped contour of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus 1, and includes a left wall plate, a right wall plate, a front wall plate, a rear wall plate, and a top wall plate formed of a plate material such as a metal plate or a resin plate; an outer tub 20, which is supported inside the outer casing 10; an inner tub 30, which is rotatably installed inside the outer tub 20 for storing laundry; and a drying apparatus 40, which dries the laundry inside the drum-type laundry treating apparatus 1 (i.e., inside the inner tub 30) by using heated air. In addition, for the convenience of description, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are defined, and these directions are followed in the subsequent drawings.

[0063] As Figure 2 shown, the outer tub 20 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with a laundry inlet (not shown) at one end. The outer tub 20 is installed inside the outer casing 10 with the laundry inlet facing forward, and is elastically supported by the lower shock absorber 22 and the upper suspension spring (not shown) inside the outer casing 10, thereby preventing the vibration of the outer tub 20 from being transmitted to the outer casing 10.

[0064] The inner cylinder 30 is a bottomed cylindrical shape with one end open and is used to store clothes. The inner cylinder 30 is installed inside the outer cylinder 20 with its opening facing the clothes inlet of the outer cylinder 20. A plurality of fine holes can be formed in the wall portion on the outer peripheral side and the bottom side wall portion of the inner cylinder 30, whereby washing water and heated air generated by the drying device 40 can flow between the outer cylinder 20 and the inner cylinder 30. In addition, the inner cylinder 30 is driven by a motor (not shown) and can rotate about a rotation axis X extending in the horizontal direction. Among them, the rotation direction of the inner cylinder 30 can be Figure 2 the clockwise direction in

[0065] the drying device

[0066] as Figures 2 to 4 shown, an integrally structured drying device 40 is arranged in the upper space portion 14 above the outer cylinder 20 in the housing 10, and the drying device 40 dries the clothes in the inner cylinder 30 by using heated air. The upper space portion 14 refers to the space sandwiched by the top wall plate of the housing 10 and the upper arc-shaped outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 20 in the vertical direction, and includes not only the space above the highest part 20U of the outer cylinder 20 but also the left and right sides of the highest part 20U and the space slightly below the highest part 20U.

[0067] as Figures 2 to 4 shown, the drying device 40 includes: an air duct housing 50 having an air inlet 55 and an air outlet 56, the air inlet 55 is located on the front side or the upper side of the outer cylinder 20, the air outlet 56 is located on the rear side of the outer cylinder 30, and the air inlet 55 and the air outlet 56 are respectively communicated with the inner cavity of the drum-type clothes processing device 1 (that is, the inner cavity of the inner cylinder 30); an evaporator 60 disposed in the air duct housing 50 to dehumidify the air flowing in the air duct housing 50 and led out from the inner cylinder 30; a condenser 70 disposed in the air duct housing 50 at a position downstream of the evaporator 60 in the air flow direction to heat the air passing through the evaporator 60; and a blower 80 disposed in the air duct housing 50 at a position downstream of the condenser 70 in the air flow direction to make the air flow, so as to introduce the air in the inner cylinder 30 into the air duct housing 50 through the air inlet 55 and introduce the air passing through the evaporator 60 and the condenser 70 into the inner cylinder 30 through the air outlet 56. In addition, the drying device 40 further includes a compressor 85 for compressing the refrigerant flowing in the evaporator 60 and the condenser 70.

[0068] as Figure 3As shown, the air passage housing 50 includes: an intake member 51 that extends substantially in the vertical direction and has an intake port 55 at its lower end, through which the air in the inner cylinder 30 flows out; an outlet member 52 that has an outlet port 56 at its lower end, and the air flowing out from the outlet port 56 flows into the inner cylinder 30; and a housing main body 53 that is connected between the intake member 51 and the outlet member 52. In addition, the intake member 51 includes a bellows portion 511 that can be telescoped, thereby preventing the vibration of the outer cylinder 20 from being transmitted to the housing main body 53 via the intake member 51. As Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the outlet member 52 includes a first pipe 521 connected to the housing main body 53 and having a bellows portion 5211 that can be telescoped and a second pipe 522 connected to the first pipe 521, thereby preventing the vibration of the outer cylinder 20 from being transmitted to the housing main body 53 via the outlet member 52. In addition, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the first pipe 521 and the second pipe 522 are independent of each other, the first pipe 521 is connected to the housing main body 53, and one end of the second pipe 522 is connected to the first pipe 521. However, it is not limited thereto, and the first pipe 521 and the second pipe 522 may also be integrally formed.

[0069] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the housing main body 53 has an upper housing 57 and a lower housing 58. The lower housing 58 is substantially cup-shaped with an upward opening, and has a bottom wall portion 581 and a peripheral wall portion 582. The intake member 51 is connected near the front end of the bottom wall portion 581, and the outlet member 52 is connected to the peripheral wall portion 582 at the rear side. The upper housing 57 is substantially plate-shaped and is fixed to the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 582 of the lower housing 58 by screws or the like. Inside the internal space of the housing main body 53 surrounded by the upper housing 57 and the lower housing 58, an evaporator 60, a condenser 70, and a blower 80 are arranged. In addition, a compressor accommodation portion 583 is continuously provided forward on the peripheral wall portion 582 at the front side, and the compressor accommodation portion 583 is substantially cylindrical with an upward opening. The compressor 85 is arranged outside the internal space of the housing main body 53 by being installed in the compressor accommodation portion 583. Thus, the evaporator 60, the condenser 70, the blower 80, and the compressor 85 are arranged in the upper space portion 14 in an integrated structure by the housing main body 53.

[0070] As Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the evaporator 60 is a substantially plate-shaped microchannel evaporator, and a pair of opposite plate surfaces respectively serve as a windward surface 61 and an air outlet surface 62, and air passes through the evaporator 60 from top to bottom. The evaporator 60 cools the high-humidity air flowing outside by absorbing heat of the refrigerant flowing inside, and causes the water vapor in the air to condense on the surface of the evaporator 60 and precipitate as condensed water, thereby obtaining dry air. As Figure 2As shown, within the upper space portion 14, the evaporator 60 is arranged such that its windward surface 61 is on the upper side and its air outlet surface 62 is on the lower side, and the windward surface 61 and the air outlet surface 62 are inclined with respect to the horizontal line in the left - right direction. The height of the right end is higher than that of the left end. That is to say, the right end becomes the upper end 63 and the left end becomes the lower end 64. Thus, the moist air led out from within the inner cylinder 30 enters the evaporator 60 from the upper windward surface 61. The water vapor in the air condenses on the surface of the evaporator 60 and is separated out as condensed water. This condensed water is separated from the surface of the evaporator 60 under the dual action of its own gravity and the downward - flowing air, which is conducive to the discharge of the condensed water. In addition, the evaporator 60 is located directly above the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 30. Here, "the evaporator 60 is located directly above the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 30" means that there is more than one intersection point between the orthographic projection of the evaporator 60 on the horizontal plane and the orthographic projection of the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 30 on the horizontal plane.

[0071] As Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the condenser 70 is a substantially plate - shaped micro - channel condenser. A pair of mutually opposite plate surfaces respectively serve as the windward surface 71 and the air outlet surface 72, and the air flowing within the air passage housing 50 passes through the condenser 70 from bottom to top. The condenser 70 heats the dry air flowing outside the condenser 70 by releasing heat from the refrigerant flowing inside, thereby obtaining high - temperature and dry air. As Figure 2 shown, within the upper space portion 14, the condenser 70 is arranged such that its windward surface 71 is on the lower side and its air outlet surface 72 is on the upper side, and the windward surface 71 and the air outlet surface 72 are inclined with respect to the horizontal line in the left - right direction. The height of the left end is higher than that of the right end. That is to say, the left end becomes the upper end 73 and the right end becomes the lower end 74.

[0072] It should be noted that the evaporator 60 only needs to be able to dehumidify the air and is not limited to the micro - channel structure. For example, the evaporator 60 can also be of a copper - tube fin - type structure. The condenser 70 only needs to be able to heat the air and is not limited to the micro - channel structure either. Since, compared with traditional heat exchangers, under the same heat - transfer energy efficiency, the micro - channel evaporator and the micro - channel condenser have a smaller volume, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the drum - type laundry treatment device. Therefore, considering both higher heat - transfer energy efficiency and device miniaturization, preferably, at least one of the evaporator 60 and the condenser 70 is of a micro - channel structure. In particular, the condenser 70 for heating the air is preferably of a micro - channel structure. In addition, preferably, at least one of the evaporator 60 and the condenser 70 is installed inside the air passage housing 50 in a non - vertical state. Here, installing the evaporator 60 or the condenser 70 in a non - vertical state means that the windward surface or the air outlet surface of the evaporator 60 or the condenser 70 is not perpendicular to the horizontal direction.

[0073] As Figure 2As shown in the figure, within the upper space portion 14, the condenser 70 is located on the right side of the evaporator 60. The evaporator 60 and the condenser 70 are arranged along the left-right direction. In other words, the two are arranged along the rotational direction of the inner cylinder 30 around the rotational axis X. Specifically, the upper end 63 of the evaporator 60 and the upper end 73 of the condenser 70 are close to each other, and the lower end 64 of the evaporator 60 extends obliquely downward toward one side (left side) in the rotational direction of the inner cylinder 30, and the lower end 74 of the condenser 70 extends obliquely downward toward the other side (right side) in the rotational direction of the inner cylinder 30. When observed in the direction of the rotational axis X of the inner cylinder 30 (front-rear direction), the evaporator 60 and the condenser 70 are arranged in an inverted V shape. In addition, the height of the lower end 64 of the evaporator 60 is higher than the height of the lower end 74 of the condenser 70, so that the condenser 70 extends downward longer and the condenser 70 is made larger. Further, a V-shaped partition 571 is provided on the surface of the upper housing 57 in a downwardly concave manner. The partition 571 is provided between the evaporator 60 and the condenser 70 and abuts against the upper end 63 of the evaporator 60 and the upper end 73 of the condenser 70 respectively. By arranging the evaporator 60 and the condenser 70 along the rotational direction of the inner cylinder 30 and in an inverted V shape, the space above the outer cylinder 20 can be fully utilized, and the heat exchange areas of the evaporator 60 and the condenser 70 can be increased as much as possible, so that while ensuring miniaturization in the height direction of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus, the drying efficiency can be improved and the drying time can be shortened.

[0074] Among them, the above-mentioned "the evaporator 60 and the condenser 70 are arranged along the rotational direction of the inner cylinder 30" means that when observed in the direction of the rotational axis X of the inner cylinder 30, the position of the evaporator 60 in the rotational direction of the inner cylinder 30 is different from the position of the condenser 70 in the rotational direction of the inner cylinder 30. As a typical example, it can be that the orthographic projection of the evaporator 60 on the vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the orthographic projection of the condenser 70 on the vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction do not have an intersection point.

[0075] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the blower 80 is arranged behind the condenser 70 within the housing main body 53 of the air duct housing 50 and is arranged at the portion of the housing main body 53 connected to the air outlet member 52. That is to say, the condenser 70 and the blower 80 are arranged along the direction of the rotational axis X of the inner cylinder 30 (i.e., the front-rear direction). In addition, in the air flow direction within the air duct housing 50, the blower 80 is located on the downstream side of the condenser 70. Thus, the evaporator 60, the condenser 70, and the blower 80 are arranged in sequence from the upstream side of the air flow direction.

[0076] By operating the blower 80, the low-temperature and high-humidity air inside the inner cylinder 30 is sucked from the front side of the inner cylinder 30 into the housing main body 53 via the air intake member 51; the low-temperature and high-humidity air sucked into the housing main body 53 passes through the evaporator 60 from the windward surface 61 on the upper side, and by the heat absorption of the refrigerant in the evaporator 60, the water vapor in the air condenses on the surface of the evaporator 60 and is separated out as condensed water, thereby obtaining low-temperature and dry air; the low-temperature and dry air coming out from the air outlet surface 62 of the evaporator 60 passes through the condenser 70 from the windward surface 71 on the lower side, and by the heat release of the refrigerant in the condenser 70, the air is heated, thereby obtaining high-temperature and dry air; the high-temperature and dry air coming out from the air outlet surface 72 of the condenser 70 enters the inner cylinder 30 from the rear side of the inner cylinder 30 through the air outlet member 52; the high-temperature and dry air contacts the wet clothes inside the inner cylinder 30, evaporates the moisture contained in the clothes into water vapor and takes it away, and becomes low-temperature and high-humidity air; the low-temperature and high-humidity air is sucked into the housing main body 53 again from the front side of the inner cylinder 30 via the air intake member 51.

[0077] As Figure 2 shown, the air passage in the air passage housing 50 is divided into: a first air passage region S1, which is the region from the air inlet 55 of the air intake member 51 to the windward surface 61 of the evaporator 60 in the housing main body 53, in other words, the region located upstream of the evaporator 60 in the air flow direction; a second air passage region S2, which is the region in the housing main body 53 between the air outlet surface 62 of the evaporator 60 and the windward surface 71 of the condenser 70, in other words, the region located below the evaporator 60 and the condenser 70; and a third air passage region S3, which is the region from the air outlet surface 72 of the condenser 70 to the air outlet 56 of the air outlet member 52, in other words, the region located downstream of the condenser 70 in the air flow direction.

[0078] In this way, the suction port of the blower 80 is located behind the condenser 70. In the air passage housing 50, the air that has passed through the condenser 70 flows backward, and then turns downward and enters the fan 800 of the blower 80 described later. Thus, compared with the structure in which the air turns upward and enters the fan 800 of the blower 80, the blower 80 can be extended downward relative to the suction port, avoiding an increase in the height dimension of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus 1 due to the blower 80.

[0079] Blower

[0080] As Figure 5 And Figure 6As shown, the blower 80 is located on the right side in the left - right direction with respect to the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 30, and the air outlet 56 of the air outlet member 52 is located on the left side in the left - right direction with respect to the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 30. It can also be that the blower 80 is located on the left side in the left - right direction with respect to the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 30, and the air outlet 56 of the air outlet member 52 is located on the right side in the left - right direction with respect to the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 30. That is to say, as long as the blower 80 and the air outlet 56 are located on opposite sides in the left - right direction with respect to the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 30. Thus, it can be ensured that there is a relatively large installation space for the air supply pipeline (i.e., the air outlet member 52) provided between the blower 80 and the air outlet 56 of the air duct housing 50, avoiding an increase in the air loss of the air outlet member 52 due to multiple bends in a small space, which is beneficial to reducing the air loss of the air outlet member 52, and thus enabling the air blown from the blower 80 to flow more smoothly.

[0081] In addition, as Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the blower 80 is located on the rear side in the front - rear direction with respect to the center line CL in the front - rear direction of the inner cylinder 30, and the compressor 85 is located on the front side in the front - rear direction with respect to the center line CL in the front - rear direction of the inner cylinder 30. It can also be that the blower 80 is located on the front side in the front - rear direction with respect to the center line CL in the front - rear direction of the inner cylinder 30, and the compressor 85 is located on the rear side in the front - rear direction with respect to the center line CL in the front - rear direction of the inner cylinder 30. That is to say, as long as the blower 80 and the compressor 85 are located on opposite sides in the front - rear direction with respect to the center line CL in the front - rear direction of the inner cylinder 30. Among them, the center line CL in the front - rear direction refers to an imaginary line parallel to the left - right direction and passing through the center in the front - rear direction of the inner cylinder 30. Thus, it is more beneficial to ensure that there is a relatively large installation space for the air supply pipeline (i.e., the air outlet member 52) provided between the blower 80 and the air outlet 56 of the air duct housing 50.

[0082] In the drum - type laundry treatment device 1 of the first embodiment, as Figures 6 to 8 shown, the blower 80 as a whole has a flat and substantially cylindrical shape with a diameter larger than the thickness, and has a volute 801, a fan 800 housed in the volute 801, and a motor M for driving the fan 800 to rotate.

[0083] As Figure 8 shown, the motor shaft of the motor M extends into the interior of the volute 801 from below the volute 801 and is connected to the fan 800 provided in the inner cavity of the volute 801, becoming the rotation shaft M1 of the blower 80 (more specifically, referring to the fan 800). By driving the motor M, the fan 800 is driven to rotate, causing the air in the air duct housing 50 to flow. The specific structure of the fan 800, the connection method between the fan 800 and the motor M, and the connection method between the motor M and the volute 801 can adopt means well - known in the art, and specific descriptions are omitted here.

[0084] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the volute 801 is disposed above the outer cylinder 20 such that the rotation axis M1 of the blower 80 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 20. And, in the vertical direction, the fan 800 is located above the motor M. Herein, "substantially perpendicular" includes the case where the rotation axis M1 of the blower 80 extends in a direction perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 20 and the case where the rotation axis M1 of the blower 80 extends in a direction slightly inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 20. For example, it includes the case where the rotation axis M1 of the blower 80 extends in a direction forming an angle of 70° to 110° with the tangent direction at the position where the extension line of the rotation axis M1 intersects the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 20.

[0085] When viewed from above, at least a part of the volute 801 overlaps with the outer cylinder 20. In other words, there is an intersection point between the orthographic projection of the volute 801 on the horizontal plane orthogonal to the vertical direction and the orthographic projection of the outer cylinder 20 on the horizontal plane orthogonal to the vertical direction. More preferably, when viewed from above, the whole blower 80 overlaps with the outer cylinder 20. Thus, the space above the outer cylinder 20 inside the outer shell 10 can be fully utilized. And, for the thickness dimension of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus 1 in the front-rear direction, compared with the prior art, the increase amount caused by the installation of the blower can be reduced. Therefore, the overall thickness dimension of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus 1 can be reduced, and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0086] In addition, as Figures 6 to 8 shown, a discharge hole 8011 for communicating the inside and outside of the volute 801 is provided in the volute 801. Thus, even if the washing water, foam, etc. in the inner cylinder 30 enter the inner cavity of the volute 801 via the air outlet member 52 during the washing program of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus 1, the washing water, foam, etc. entering the inner cavity of the volute 801 can be discharged via the discharge hole 8011. Thereby, the situation that the washing water, foam, etc. remaining in the inner cavity of the volute 801 soak the motor M or the fan blades of the fan 800, etc., resulting in damage to the blower 80 can be prevented, and the service life of the blower 80 can be extended.

[0087] As Figure 5 shown, the blower 80 is located behind the condenser 70 and is offset to one side in the left-right direction with respect to the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 30. In this case, the discharge hole 8011 is preferably located at a position of the volute 801 close to the side wall (here, the right wall plate) of the outer shell 10 of the drum laundry treating apparatus 1.

[0088] In addition, the discharge hole 8011 is preferably provided at the lowest point of the inner cavity of the volute 8011. Thereby, it can be reliably ensured that the washing water, foam, etc. entering the inner cavity of the volute 801 are discharged.

[0089] As an example, as Figures 6 to 8 shown, the discharge hole 8011 is provided on the bottom surface of the volute 801, and the discharge hole 8011 extends downward from the bottom surface of the volute 801 parallel to the rotation axis M1 of the blower 80. Thus, when manufacturing the volute by methods such as injection molding, demolding is easy, which is beneficial to reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0090] As another example, the discharge hole 8011 can also be set to extend in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the fan 800. Thus, it is possible to discharge the washing water, foam, etc. that enter the inner chamber of the volute 801, and it is also possible to suppress the leakage of the air in the air passage to the outside through the discharge hole 8011. The specific structure of the discharge hole 8011 is not limited to this, and as long as it can discharge the washing water, foam, etc. that enter the inner chamber of the volute 8011, it can be arbitrarily designed according to needs.

[0091] The aperture of the discharge hole 8011 is preferably set to a size that can ignore the leakage of the air in the air passage due to the discharge hole. As an example, the aperture of the discharge hole 8011 can be set to 3 mm to 15 mm, for example. More specifically, the aperture of the discharge hole 8011 can be set to 6 mm, for example.

[0092] In addition, the discharge hole 8011 can be connected to the inside of the outer cylinder 20 via a pipeline or the like, can also be connected to the housing of the drainage pump assembly via a pipeline or the like, and can also be connected to the air outlet member 52 via a pipeline or the like. Thus, it is possible to recycle the washing water, foam, etc. that enter the volute 801 of the blower 80.

[0093] Second Embodiment

[0094] In Figures 9 to 12 is shown the second embodiment of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus of the present invention. The main difference between this second embodiment and the above-mentioned first embodiment lies in the arrangement mode of the blower and the design of the discharge hole. Therefore, hereinafter, the arrangement mode of the blower and the design of the discharge hole in the second embodiment will be mainly described, and for the parts that are the same as or equivalent to the above-mentioned first embodiment, the same reference numerals are marked and the specific description is omitted.

[0095] As Figures 9 to 12 shown, in the second embodiment, the blower 80 is arranged above the outer cylinder 20 in such a manner that the rotation axis M1 is substantially parallel to the rotation axis X of the outer cylinder 20. Herein, "substantially parallel" includes the case where the rotation axis M1 is parallel to the rotation axis X of the outer cylinder 20 and the case where the rotation axis M1 is slightly inclined with respect to the rotation axis X of the outer cylinder 20. For example, it includes the case where the angle between the rotation axis M1 and the rotation axis X of the outer cylinder 20 is not more than 10°.

[0096] In the front-rear direction, the fan 800 is located in front of the motor M, that is, the fan 800 is closer to the condenser 70 than the motor M. The air that has passed through the condenser 70 flows rearward and enters the fan 800. When viewed from above, at least a part of the volute 801 overlaps with the outer cylinder 20. In other words, the orthographic projection of the volute 801 on the horizontal plane orthogonal to the up-down direction and the orthographic projection of the outer cylinder 20 on the horizontal plane orthogonal to the up-down direction have intersection points. More preferably, when viewed from above, the entire blower 80 overlaps with the outer cylinder 20. Thus, the space above the outer cylinder 20 within the housing 10 can be fully utilized. And for the thickness dimension of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus 1 in the front-rear direction, compared with the prior art, the increase amount caused by the installation of the blower can be reduced. Therefore, the overall thickness dimension of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus 1 can be reduced, and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0097] In addition, as Figure 12 shown, a discharge hole 8012 that connects the inside and outside of the volute 801 is provided in the volute 801 of the blower 80. Thus, the washing water, foam, etc. that enter the inner chamber of the volute 801 can be discharged through the discharge hole 8012, thereby preventing the situation where the washing water, foam, etc. remaining in the inner chamber of the volute 801 soak the motor M or the fan blades of the fan 800, etc., resulting in damage to the blower 80, and the service life of the blower 80 can be extended.

[0098] As Figure 9 shown, the blower 80 is located behind the condenser 70 and is offset to one side in the left-right direction with respect to the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 30. In this case, the discharge hole 8012 is preferably located at a portion of the volute 801 close to the side wall (here, the right wall plate) of the housing 10 of the drum laundry treating apparatus 1.

[0099] In addition, the discharge hole 8012 is preferably provided at a position that is the lowest point of the inner chamber of the volute 8011. Thus, it can be reliably ensured that the washing water, foam, etc. that enter the inner chamber of the volute 801 are discharged.

[0100] As an example, as Figure 12 shown, the discharge hole 8012 is provided on the peripheral wall of the volute 801, extends from the peripheral wall of the volute 801 to one side in the left-right direction, and the discharge hole 8012 extends in a direction away from the volute 801. Thus, the washing water, foam, etc. that enter the inner chamber of the volute 801 can be discharged more smoothly.

[0101] As another example, the discharge hole 8012 may also be provided to extend downward from the peripheral wall of the volute 801 toward the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1. Additionally, the discharge hole 8012 may also be provided to extend in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the fan 800. Thereby, it is possible to discharge the washing water, foam, etc. that enter the inner chamber of the volute 801, and it is also possible to prevent the air in the air passage from leaking to the outside through the discharge hole 8012.

[0102] The specific structure of the discharge hole 8012 is not limited to this, and any design can be made as needed as long as it can discharge the washing water, foam, etc. that enter the inner chamber of the volute 801.

[0103] The aperture of the discharge hole 8012 is preferably set to a size that can neglect the leakage of air in the air passage due to the discharge hole. As an example, the aperture of the discharge hole 8012 can be set to, for example, 3 mm to 15 mm. More specifically, the aperture of the discharge hole 8012 can be set to, for example, 6 mm.

[0104] In addition, the discharge hole 8012 can be connected to the inside of the outer cylinder 20 via a pipeline or the like, can also be connected to the housing of the drainage pump assembly via a pipeline or the like, and can also be connected to the air outlet member 52 via a pipeline or the like.

[0105] The embodiments described above are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Appropriate modifications, changes, etc. can be made within the protection scope of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, it is obvious that these modifications, changes, etc. also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0106] For example, in the above - mentioned first embodiment, the rotation axis M1 of the fan 800 of the blower 80 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 30. In the above - mentioned second embodiment, the rotation axis M1 of the fan 800 of the blower 80 is substantially parallel to the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 30. However, it is not limited thereto, and as long as the blower 80 is provided above the outer cylinder 20 in such a manner that the rotation axis M1 of the fan 800 is in a non - vertical state, it is included in the protection scope of the present invention. Herein, the rotation axis M1 being in a non - vertical state means that the rotation axis M1 is not parallel to the up - down direction.

[0107] Industrial Applicability

[0108] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a drum - type laundry treating apparatus that can ensure both drying performance and miniaturization.

Claims

1. A drum - type laundry treatment device, characterized in that, The drum - type laundry treating apparatus includes a drying device, an outer tub, and an inner tub. The inner tub is rotatably installed within the outer tub and is used for storing laundry. The drying device is located above the outer tub and uses heated air to dry the laundry within the inner tub. The drying device includes: An air - passage housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, and the air inlet and the air outlet are respectively in communication with the inner cavity of the inner tub. An evaporator disposed within the air - passage housing and used for dehumidifying the air led out from the inner tub. A condenser disposed within the air - passage housing at a position downstream of the evaporator in the air - flow direction and used for heating the air that has passed through the evaporator. A blower for causing air to flow, thereby leading the air within the inner tub into the air - passage housing through the air inlet and leading the air that has passed through the evaporator and the condenser into the inner tub through the air outlet; and A compressor for compressing the refrigerant flowing in the evaporator and the condenser. When looking down at the drum - type laundry treating apparatus, the blower and the compressor are located on different sides of the center line in the front - rear direction of the inner tub, and at least a part of the volute of the blower overlaps with the outer tub. The condenser is installed within the air - passage housing in a non - vertical state, and the air flowing within the air - passage housing passes through the condenser from bottom to top.

2. The drum - type laundry treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The blower is disposed above the outer tub in such a manner that the rotation axis of the fan is in a non - vertical state.

3. The drum - type laundry treatment device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotation axis of the fan is substantially perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of the outer tub.

4. The drum - type laundry treatment device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The air inlet of the blower is located behind the condenser, and the air that has passed through the condenser flows backward and then turns downward and enters the fan.

5. The drum - type laundry treatment device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotation axis of the fan is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the inner tub.

6. The drum - type laundry treatment device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The blower further includes a motor for driving the fan to rotate. The fan is located above the motor.

7. The drum - type laundry treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When looking down at the drum - type laundry treating apparatus, the whole blower overlaps with the outer tub.

8. The drum - type laundry treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The condenser is a micro - channel condenser, and / or the evaporator is a micro - channel evaporator. The evaporator and the condenser are arranged along the rotation direction of the inner tub and are configured in an inverted V - shape, and the evaporator is located directly above the rotation axis of the inner tub.

9. The drum - type laundry treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The blower is disposed at a position downstream of the condenser in the air - flow direction. A discharge hole for communicating the inside and outside of the volute is provided in the volute of the blower.

10. The drum - type laundry treatment device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The discharge hole is provided at the lowest point of the inner cavity of the volute.

11. The drum-type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The discharge hole is provided on the bottom surface of the volute.

12. The drum-type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The discharge hole extends downward parallel to the rotation axis of the fan of the blower.

13. The drum-type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, The discharge hole extends in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the fan of the blower.

14. The drum-type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, In the front - rear direction of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus, the blower is located behind the condenser and is offset to one side in the left - right direction of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus with respect to the rotation axis of the inner tub.

15. The drum-type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, The discharge hole is provided at a portion of the volute close to the side wall of the housing of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus.

16. The drum-type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, The discharge hole is communicated with any one of the outer cylinder, the air outlet and the drainage pump assembly through a pipeline.

17. The drum-type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, The aperture of the discharge hole is set to be 3 mm to 15 mm.

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