Air supply structure of clothes dryer

Abstract

The air supply structure of the clothes dryer comprises a supporting frame, a roller, a sleeve, an air duct assembly and a water retaining piece, the roller is rotationally installed on the supporting frame, an air inlet is formed in the side face of the roller, a plurality of air inlet holes are formed in the outer wall face of the roller, and the sleeve is fixed to the supporting frame and covers the outer wall face of the roller; an air storage cavity is formed between the inner wall surface of the sleeve and the outer wall surface of the roller; an air supply channel is formed in the air duct assembly, communicates with the air inlet and the air storage cavity and is used for conveying heated air to the air inlet and the air storage cavity; the water retaining piece is hinged to the inner wall face of the roller and shields the air inlet hole, and the water retaining piece can only be opened towards the interior of the roller. On the basis of air intake of the air inlet, air intake is assisted through the multiple air inlet holes, hot air can be blown to wet clothes faster and more evenly, the drying efficiency is improved, and meanwhile water in the roller can be prevented from entering the air storage cavity through the water retaining pieces by arranging the water retaining pieces on the air inlet holes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of clothes dryers, and in particular to an air supply structure of a clothes dryer. Background Art

[0002] A clothes dryer is a cleaning household appliance that uses electric heating to evaporate the water in washed clothes instantly. Existing clothes dryers are only equipped with one air outlet, which has low air supply efficiency and takes a certain amount of time to evenly blow hot air to wet clothes, resulting in low drying efficiency and waste of resources. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide an air supply structure for a clothes dryer, which, on the basis of air intake through an air inlet, assists the air intake through a plurality of air inlet holes, so that hot air can be blown toward wet clothes faster and more evenly, thereby improving the drying efficiency. At the same time, by arranging a water barrier on the air inlet hole, water in the drum can be prevented from entering the air storage chamber through the water barrier.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] On the one hand, an air supply structure of a clothes dryer is provided, comprising: a support frame, a drum, a sleeve, an air duct assembly and a water retaining member, the drum being rotatably mounted on the support frame, an air inlet being provided on the side of the drum, and a plurality of air inlet holes being provided on the outer wall surface, the sleeve being fixed on the support frame and covering the outer wall surface of the drum, an air storage cavity being formed between the inner wall surface of the sleeve and the outer wall surface of the drum; an air supply channel being formed in the air duct assembly, the air supply channel being respectively connected with the air inlet and the air storage cavity, for conveying heated air to the air inlet and the air storage cavity; the water retaining member being hinged to the inner wall surface of the drum and shielding the air inlet holes, and the water retaining member being configured to be opened only toward the inside of the drum.

[0006] Furthermore, the water blocking member includes an elastic portion and an abutting portion, the abutting portion is hinged to the inner wall surface of the drum through the elastic portion, and the abutting portion blocks the air inlet hole.

[0007] Furthermore, a limiting portion is convexly provided on one side of the abutting portion away from the elastic portion, and a limiting groove cooperating with the limiting portion for limiting is formed on the inner wall surface of the drum.

[0008] Furthermore, the air intake volume of the air inlet is more than 16 times the air intake volume of the air inlet hole.

[0009] Furthermore, a clothing cavity is formed inside the drum, and the air intake volume of the air inlet accounts for 2%-4% of the volume of the clothing cavity.

[0010] Further, the air duct assembly includes an air duct member, a fan member, and a heating member. An air supply channel is formed inside the air duct member, and a fan cavity is formed inside the fan member. One end of the air supply channel communicates with the air inlet, and the other end communicates with one end of the fan cavity. The heating member is disposed at the other end of the fan cavity for heating the air entering the fan cavity.

[0011] Further, an air outlet opposite to the air inlet is formed on the other side surface of the drum, and a return air duct is connected between the air outlet and the fan cavity.

[0012] Further, the heating member is an electric heating film, and the electric heating film is disposed at the connection position between the fan cavity and the return air duct.

[0013] Further, a temperature sensor is disposed inside the drum, and the temperature sensor is electrically connected to the air duct assembly.

[0014] Further, a humidity sensor is also disposed inside the drum, and the humidity sensor is electrically connected to the air duct assembly respectively.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present application are as follows: When the dryer starts to work, the air duct assembly starts to work, and conveys the heated air to the air inlet of the drum through the air supply channel. At the same time, since the air storage cavity formed between the sleeve and the outer wall surface of the drum communicates with the air supply channel, the hot air will also flow through the outer wall surface of the drum through the air storage cavity. A plurality of air inlet holes formed on the outer wall surface of the drum serve as auxiliary air inlets, so that in addition to entering the drum through the air inlet and directly blowing on the clothes, the hot air can also enter the drum through the air inlet holes and blow on the clothes from multiple directions. In this way, the hot air can cover the clothes faster and more evenly, improving the drying efficiency. During the rotation of the drum, the moisture in the clothes may be thrown out to form water droplets or water mist. In order to prevent this moisture from entering the air storage cavity through the air inlet holes and affecting the normal operation of the dryer, a water blocking member is provided. The water blocking member is hinged to the inner wall surface of the drum and blocks the air inlet holes. Since the water blocking member can only be opened towards the inside of the drum, when the water in the drum attempts to flow out through the air inlet holes, the water blocking member will prevent it from flowing out, ensuring that the moisture does not enter the air storage cavity. Through the auxiliary air inlet of multiple air inlet holes, the hot air can blow on the wet clothes faster and more evenly in the present application, thereby greatly shortening the drying time and improving the drying efficiency. At the same time, the setting of the water blocking member effectively prevents the water in the drum from entering the air storage cavity through the air inlet holes, ensures the normal operation of the dryer, and extends its service life. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments.

[0017] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of the air supply structure of the dryer according to the embodiment of the present applicationFigure 1 (with a water baffle);

[0018] Figure 2 The three - dimensional view of the air supply structure of the dryer described in the embodiment of the present application Figure 2 (without a water baffle);

[0019] Figure 3 The front view of the water baffle described in the embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 4 The side view of the air supply structure of the dryer described in the embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 5 The three - dimensional view of the air supply structure of the dryer described in the embodiment of the present application Figure 3 .

[0022] In the figure: 1, support frame; 2, drum; 201, air inlet; 202, air inlet hole; 203, limit groove; 3, sleeve; 4, air storage cavity; 5, air duct assembly; 6, water baffle; 601, elastic part; 602, abutting part; 603, limiting part. Detailed implementation manners

[0023] To make the technical problems solved by the present application, the technical solutions adopted and the achieved technical effects clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are further described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0024] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific situations.

[0025] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may include the direct contact between the first and second features, or may include the situation where the first and second features are not in direct contact but in contact through additional features therebetween. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0026] As Figures 1 - 5 shown, this embodiment provides an air supply structure of a dryer, including: a support frame 1, a drum 2, a sleeve 3, an air duct assembly 5 and a water blocking member 6. The drum 2 is rotatably installed on the support frame 1. An air inlet 201 is formed on the side surface of the drum 2, and a plurality of air inlet holes 202 are formed on the outer wall surface. The sleeve 3 is fixed on the support frame 1 and covers the outer wall surface of the drum 2. An air storage cavity 4 is formed between the inner wall surface of the sleeve 3 and the outer wall surface of the drum 2. An air supply channel is formed in the air duct assembly 5. The air supply channel is respectively communicated with the air inlet 201 and the air storage cavity 4 for conveying heated air to the air inlet 201 and the air storage cavity 4. The water blocking member 6 is hinged to the inner wall surface of the drum 2 and blocks the air inlet holes 202. The water blocking member 6 is configured to be only opened towards the inside of the drum 2.

[0027] Based on the above solution, when the dryer starts to work, the air duct assembly 5 starts to work, and conveys the heated air to the air inlet 201 of the drum 2 through the air supply channel. At the same time, since the air storage cavity 4 formed between the sleeve 3 and the outer wall surface of the drum 2 is connected to the air supply channel, the hot air will also flow through the outer wall surface of the drum 2 through the air storage cavity 4. A number of air inlet holes 202 opened on the outer wall surface of the drum 2 serve as auxiliary air inlets 201, so that in addition to entering the drum 2 through the air inlet 201 and directly blowing on the clothes, the hot air can also enter the drum 2 through the air inlet holes 202 and blow on the clothes from multiple directions. In this way, the hot air can cover the clothes faster and more evenly, improving the drying efficiency. During the rotation of the drum 2, the moisture in the clothes may be thrown out to form water droplets or water mist. In order to prevent this moisture from entering the air storage cavity 4 through the air inlet holes 202 and thus affecting the normal operation of the dryer, a water blocking member 6 is provided. The water blocking member 6 is hinged to the inner wall surface of the drum 2 and blocks the air inlet holes 202. Since the water blocking member 6 can only be opened towards the inside of the drum 2, when the water in the drum 2 attempts to flow out through the air inlet holes 202, the water blocking member 6 will prevent it from flowing out, ensuring that the moisture does not enter the air storage cavity 4. Through the auxiliary air inlet of multiple air inlet holes 202 in this application, the hot air can blow on the wet clothes faster and more evenly, thus greatly shortening the drying time and improving the drying efficiency. At the same time, the setting of the water blocking member 6 effectively prevents the water in the drum 2 from entering the air storage cavity 4 through the air inlet holes 202, ensuring the normal operation of the dryer and extending its service life.

[0028] Further, the water blocking member 6 includes an elastic portion 601 and an abutting portion 602. The abutting portion 602 is hinged to the inner wall surface of the drum 2 through the elastic portion 601, and the abutting portion 602 shields the air inlet hole 202. The elastic portion 601 not only provides the necessary elasticity but also gives the abutting portion 602 a closing force. This means that under normal circumstances, without external force, the abutting portion 602 will remain in the closed state under the elastic force of the elastic portion 601, closely fitting on the air inlet hole 202 of the drum 2, effectively preventing the water in the drum 2 from flowing out through the air inlet hole 202. The abutting portion 602 is designed to be a structure that can be turned over and opened inside and outside. When the dryer starts to work, the hot air generated by the air duct assembly 5 enters the air inlet 201 of the drum 2 through the air supply channel and flows towards the air inlet hole 202. As the hot air flows, the wind force gradually increases. When the wind force reaches a certain level, it can overcome the closing force provided by the elastic portion 601 and drive the abutting portion 602 to turn outwards and open. In this way, the hot air can smoothly enter the drum 2 through the opened abutting portion 602 to dry the clothes. When the hot air stops flowing or the wind force weakens, the closing force provided by the elastic portion 601 will come into play again, causing the abutting portion 602 to automatically reset to the closed state and closely fit on the air inlet hole 202 again to prevent water from flowing out. The design of the water blocking member 6 cleverly combines the functions of waterproofing and ventilation. In the closed state, it can effectively prevent the water in the drum 2 from flowing out; in the opened state, it can allow the hot air to smoothly enter the drum 2 to dry the clothes. The water blocking member 6 can automatically adjust its opening and closing state according to the wind force of the hot air. When the wind force is strong enough, it will automatically open; when the wind force weakens or stops, it will automatically close. This self-adaptive adjustment mechanism ensures the stability and reliability of the water blocking member 6 during the drying process.

[0029] Further, a limiting portion 603 protrudes from a side of the abutting portion 602 away from the elastic portion 601, and a limiting groove 203 for cooperating with the limiting portion 603 is formed on the inner wall surface of the drum 2. When the water blocking member 6 is in the closed state, that is, when the abutting portion 602 is closely attached to the air inlet hole 202, the limiting portion 603 will naturally be inserted into the limiting groove 203 on the inner wall of the drum 2, ensuring the stability and reliability of the water blocking member 6 in the closed state and preventing accidental opening due to wind force or other factors. When the hot air starts to flow and reaches a certain wind force, the wind force will overcome the closing force of the elastic portion 601 and drive the abutting portion 602 to flip outward and open. During this process, the limiting portion 603 will disengage from the limiting groove 203, allowing the abutting portion 602 to perform a flipping action. When the hot air stops flowing or the wind force weakens, the closing force of the elastic portion 601 will cause the abutting portion 602 to reset, and at the same time, the limiting portion 603 will be inserted into the limiting groove 203 again, ensuring that the water blocking member 6 returns to a stable closed state. The cooperation between the limiting portion 603 and the limiting groove 203 not only improves the stability of the water blocking member 6 in the closed state but also enhances the structural stability of the entire air supply structure. This design makes the water blocking member 6 not easily loosen or damage when subjected to external impacts or vibrations, thereby improving the overall durability of the dryer.

[0030] It is worth mentioning that when the water blocking member 6 is in the open state, since the hot air is blown from the air storage cavity 4 into the drum 2, there is no need to worry that the water in the drum 2 will splash out through the air inlet hole 202 at this time, because the water cannot overcome the wind force and pass through the air inlet hole 202.

[0031] In some embodiments, the air intake volume of the air inlet 201 is more than 16 times that of the air inlet hole 202. The large air inlet 201 can ensure that more hot air quickly enters the inside of the drum 2, thereby accelerating the drying process of the clothes. Compared with the air inlet hole 202, the air inlet 201 can provide a higher air flow rate. As the main air intake channel, the air inlet 201, assisted by multiple air inlet holes 202, can blow the hot air evenly into the drum 2 at the fastest speed, effectively improving the drying efficiency and ensuring a better drying effect of the clothes.

[0032] Meanwhile, a clothing cavity is formed inside the drum 2, and the air intake volume of the air inlet 201 accounts for 2%-4% of the volume of the clothing cavity. The air intake volume of the air inlet 201 accounting for 2% to 4% of the volume of the clothing cavity means that an appropriate amount of air can enter the clothing cavity and conduct sufficient heat exchange with the clothes, which helps maintain the air circulation inside the drum 2 and prevent a humid and stuffy environment from being generated during the drying process. An appropriate air intake volume can ensure that the clothes receive an adequate supply of hot air, thereby accelerating the evaporation and discharge of moisture, helping to improve the drying efficiency and shorten the drying time. The proper ratio of the air intake volume of the air inlet 201 to the volume of the clothing cavity can ensure that all parts of the clothes can obtain a uniform heat distribution when the clothes tumble inside the drum 2, and can avoid the situation of local over-drying or over-wetting of the clothes, improving the drying quality.

[0033] In addition, the air duct assembly 5 includes an air duct member, a fan member, and a heating member. The air duct member forms the air supply channel inside, the fan member forms a fan cavity inside, one end of the air supply channel is communicated with the air inlet 201, and the other end is communicated with one end of the fan cavity. The heating member is arranged at the other end of the fan cavity and is used for heating the air entering the fan cavity.

[0034] Further, an air outlet opposite to the air inlet 201 is provided on the other side of the drum 2, and a return air duct is connected between the air outlet and the fan cavity. During the drying process, as the drum 2 rotates, the moisture and other gases in the clothes are carried out by the hot air and discharged through the air outlet of the drum 2. These moist air are then re-sucked into the fan cavity through the return air duct. Inside the fan cavity, these moist air may be reheated or mixed with fresh air, and then enter the drum 2 again through the air supply channel and the air delivery pipe, forming a circulating drying system. Through the setting of the return air duct, the moist air is re-sucked into the fan cavity and may be reheated or mixed with fresh air again, and then enter the drum 2 again for drying. This circulating drying system can ensure that the hot air inside the drum 2 always maintains a certain temperature and humidity, thereby improving the drying efficiency, and can effectively utilize the waste heat of the return air to preheat the newly inhaled fresh cold air, rationally and effectively utilize resources, and avoid waste of resources.

[0035] Furthermore, the heating component includes an electrothermal film, which is disposed at the connection position between the blower chamber and the return air duct. When the blower assembly is started, after the external air is filtered by the filter screen, it is sucked into the blower chamber. At this time, the electrothermal film starts to work, heating the passing air and turning it into hot air. The electrothermal film directly converts electrical energy into heat energy, without any form of pollution, does not consume oxygen, and does not produce carbon dioxide, waste gas, waste water or waste emissions. It is a very environmentally friendly heating method. Compared with other heating methods, the concept advocated by the electrothermal film heating system is to save as much as possible, which can effectively reduce energy consumption. Moreover, the electrothermal conversion rate of the electrothermal film system is close to 100%, and compared with other heating systems, it can save 10-15% of energy.

[0036] Optionally, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor are provided inside the drum 2. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to the blower assembly and the heating component respectively, and the humidity sensor is electrically connected to the blower assembly and the heating component respectively. The temperature sensor can monitor the temperature inside the drum 2 in real time and feed this information back to the control system. According to the set temperature range, the control system can automatically adjust the power of the heating component to ensure that the temperature inside the drum 2 is maintained within an ideal drying range. At the same time, the temperature sensor can also be linked with the blower assembly. When the temperature inside the drum 2 is too high, the control system can increase the speed of the blower to improve the air circulation volume, thereby quickly reducing the temperature inside the drum 2 and preventing the clothes from being damaged due to overheating. Similarly, the humidity sensor can monitor the humidity level inside the drum 2 in real time and transmit this information to the control system. By comparing the set humidity target value, the control system can adjust the working states of the heating component and the blower assembly to achieve precise humidity control. When the humidity inside the drum 2 is too high, the control system can increase the power of the heating component to raise the air temperature, thereby accelerating the drying process of the clothes. At the same time, the blower assembly can also increase the speed to increase the air circulation volume and help the moisture to be discharged from the drum 2 more quickly. Through intelligent temperature and humidity control, the system can avoid unnecessary energy waste. When the temperature and humidity inside the drum 2 reach the set values, the system can automatically reduce the power of the heating component or turn off the blower assembly to save energy. In addition, precise control can also reduce the drying time and improve the drying efficiency, thereby further reducing energy consumption.

[0037] At the same time, intelligent temperature and humidity control can ensure that the clothes are heated and ventilated evenly and moderately during the drying process, avoiding local overheating or overwetting of the clothes. This helps to improve the drying quality and makes the clothes softer, fluffier and wrinkle-free.

[0038] In the description of this article, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationships such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. are only for the convenience of description and simplifying operations, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to this application. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0039] In the description of this specification, the descriptions referring to terms such as "one embodiment", "example", etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0040] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described according to embodiments, not every embodiment only contains an independent technical solution. This narrative way of the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0041] The technical principles of this application have been described above in combination with specific embodiments. These descriptions are only for explaining the principles of this application and cannot be construed as a limitation to the protection scope of this application in any way. Based on the explanations herein, those skilled in the art can think of other specific implementation manners of this application without creative efforts, and these manners will all fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An air supply structure of a clothes dryer, characterized in that: include: A support frame (1), a roller (2), a sleeve (3), an air duct assembly (5) and a water retaining member (6); the roller (2) is rotatably mounted on the support frame (1); an air inlet (201) is provided on the side of the roller (2); a plurality of air inlet holes (202) are provided on the outer wall surface; the sleeve (3) is fixed on the support frame (1) and is covered on the outer wall surface of the roller (2); the inner wall surface of the sleeve (3) and the outer wall surface of the roller (2) are aligned with each other; An air storage chamber (4) is formed between the drum (2); an air supply channel is formed in the air duct assembly (5), and the air supply channel is respectively connected to the air inlet (201) and the air storage chamber (4), and is used to transport heated air to the air inlet (201) and the air storage chamber (4); the water retaining member (6) is hinged to the inner wall surface of the drum (2) and blocks the air inlet hole (202), and the water retaining member (6) is configured to be opened only toward the inside of the drum (2).

2. The air supply structure of the clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water blocking member (6) comprises an elastic portion (601) and an abutting portion (602); the abutting portion (602) is hinged to the inner wall surface of the drum (2) through the elastic portion (601); and the abutting portion (602) blocks the air inlet hole (202).

3. The air supply structure of the clothes dryer according to claim 2, characterized in that: A limiting portion (603) is convexly provided on the side of the abutting portion (602) facing away from the elastic portion (601), and a limiting groove (203) cooperating with the limiting portion (603) for limiting is provided on the inner wall surface of the drum (2).

4. The air supply structure of a clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The air intake volume of the air inlet (201) is more than 16 times the air intake volume of the air inlet hole (202).

5. The air supply structure of a clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A clothing cavity is formed inside the drum (2), and the air intake volume of the air inlet (201) accounts for 2%-4% of the volume of the clothing cavity.

6. The air supply structure of a clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The air duct assembly (5) comprises an air duct component, a fan component and a heating component. The air duct component forms the air supply channel inside, and the fan component forms a fan cavity inside. One end of the air supply channel is connected to the air inlet (201), and the other end is connected to one end of the fan cavity. The heating component is arranged at the other end of the fan cavity for heating the air entering the fan cavity.

7. The air supply structure of the clothes dryer according to claim 6, characterized in that: An air outlet opposite to the air inlet (201) is provided on the other side of the drum (2), and an air return duct is connected between the air outlet and the fan chamber.

8. The air supply structure of the clothes dryer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The heating element is an electric heating film, and the electric heating film is arranged at the connection position between the fan cavity and the return air duct.

9. The air supply structure of a clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A temperature sensor is arranged in the drum (2), and the temperature sensor is electrically connected to the air duct assembly (5).

10. The air supply structure of a clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A humidity sensor is also provided in the drum (2), and the humidity sensor is electrically connected to the air duct assembly (5) respectively.

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