Dryer

Abstract

To provide a dryer capable of improving convenience.SOLUTION: A dryer includes: a case which extends in an axial direction, and which includes an intake port provided on one side in the axial direction and a discharge port provided on the other side in the axial direction; a blower unit which is accommodated in the case, and which takes in air through the intake port and sends the air toward the discharge port; and a heating unit which is accommodated in the case, and which heats the air sent from the blower unit. The intake port, the blower unit, the heating unit, and the discharge port are arranged in the axial direction in this order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to drying equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] There are various known drying appliances for drying bedding, clothes, shoes, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses, for example, a bedding dryer.

[0003] The futon dryer does not use an air mat and is equipped with an exterior body having an intake section located at one end and an exhaust section located at the other end, with an intake port formed in the intake section and an exhaust port formed in the exhaust section, an air passage provided within the exterior body and connecting the intake port and the exhaust port, an air blowing means disposed within the air passage for drawing in outside air through the intake port and discharging it from the exhaust port, and a heating means disposed within the air passage for heating the outside air drawn in by the air blowing means, and configured to directly discharge heated warm air from the exhaust port, and the heating means is disposed within a heater case that constitutes the air passage, the lower wall of the heater case faces closely to the bottom wall of the exterior body, and the bottom surface of the bottom wall is a flat surface with no protrusions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6018655 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When using a drying device, the user must make preparations, such as transporting the drying device to the desired location and setting it up. If the drying device is large, these procedures are time-consuming. Therefore, there is a demand for a drying device that users can easily handle.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a drying device that can improve convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A drying appliance according to one aspect of the present invention includes a case extending in an axial direction and having an air intake port provided on one side in the axial direction and an air outlet provided on the other side in the axial direction, a blower unit housed in the case and configured to draw in air from the air intake port and send the air toward the air outlet, and a heating unit housed in the case and configured to heat the air sent from the air blower unit. The air intake port, the air blower unit, the heating unit, and the air outlet are arranged in this order along the axial direction.

[0008] The drying device may further include a control unit accommodated in the case between the air inlet and the air blowing unit and configured to be able to control the air blowing unit and the heating unit. The case may have a tubular shape extending in the axial direction. The case may have a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction.

[0009] The air intake may penetrate the case in a direction intersecting the axial direction. The air outlet may open in the axial direction. The blower unit may have a fan having a rotation axis along the axial direction, and the fan may form the air flow that flows along the rotation axis.

[0010] The blowing unit may further include a motor housed in the case between the fan and the heating unit and connected to the rotating shaft. The drying device may further include an ozone generating unit having an ozone generating part housed in the case between the blowing unit and the outlet. The wind speed of the air discharged from the outlet may be 10 meters per second or more. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, a drying device capable of improving convenience can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a drying device according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a drying device according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a drying device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the first end shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the first end shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the second end shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drying device taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing a portion VIII shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a blower unit included in the drying appliance according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the blower unit shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a heating unit included in a drying appliance according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the heating unit shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a state in which the drying device is installed. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a graph showing the temperature change of the futon when a dryer is used. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the temperature distribution when the futon dryer according to the comparative example is used. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the temperature distribution when a drying device is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In order to clarify the description, the size and shape of each part may be changed from the actual embodiment and shown in the drawings.

[0014] In this embodiment, a drying appliance that can be mainly applied to a futon is disclosed as an example of a drying appliance. However, the configuration disclosed in this embodiment, particularly the arrangement of each member, can also be applied to other types of drying appliances.

[0015] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are schematic perspective views of the drying appliance 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the drying appliance 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the first end 1a shown in Fig. 1.

[0016] Fig. 5 is a schematic side view showing the first end 1a shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a schematic side view showing the second end 1b shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drying appliance 100 taken along line VII-VII shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the drying appliance 100 is viewed from a direction different from that in Fig. 1.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the drying device 100 has a shape extending along an axis line CX. Here, a direction along the axis line CX is defined as an axial direction X. As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, the drying device 100 includes a case 1, a blower unit 2, a heating unit 3, and a control unit 4.

[0018] The air blowing unit 2, the heating unit 3, and the control unit 4 are each housed in a case 1. The drying device 100 is configured so that power can be supplied from an external source via a power cable 5.

[0019] Case 1 has a tubular shape extending in the axial direction X. Case 1 has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape centered on axis CX and extending in the axial direction X. In other words, case 1 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape of case 1 may be an ellipse or a polygon such as a rectangle.

[0020] Here, the cross-sectional shape of case 1 refers to the shape of a cross section perpendicular to axis CX. The diameter (outer diameter) of case 1 is, for example, about 35 mm to about 50 mm. The length of case 1 in axial direction X is, for example, about 250 mm to about 350 mm.

[0021] 1 and 2, the case 1 has a first end 1a provided on one side in the axial direction X and a second end 1b provided on the other side in the axial direction X. In Fig. 5, the first end 1a is viewed in the axial direction X. In Fig. 6, the second end 1b is viewed in the opposite direction to the axial direction X.

[0022] The second end 1b corresponds to the opposite side of the first end 1a in the axial direction X. Here, the end includes the end and a region in its vicinity. The power cable 5 extends from the first end 1a to the outside of the case 1 in the opposite direction to the axial direction X.

[0023] The case 1 further has an intake port 11 and an exhaust port 13. The intake port 11 is provided at the first end 1a, and the exhaust port 13 is provided at the second end 1b. The intake port 11 penetrates the case 1 in a direction intersecting with the axial direction X, and the exhaust port 13 opens in the axial direction X.

[0024] Air is drawn in through intake port 11 mainly along a direction intersecting axial direction X. In contrast, air is discharged from exhaust port 13 to the outside of case 1 along axial direction X. In other words, the direction in which air is drawn in through intake port 11 intersects with the direction in which air is discharged through exhaust port 13. In case 1, first end 1a corresponds to the upstream side, and second end 1b corresponds to the downstream side.

[0025] The case 1 is composed of, for example, a plurality of members. The members constituting the case 1 are each formed of, for example, a resin material, but may also include a portion formed of a metal material. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the case 1 includes an inner case 21 and an outer case 22 that covers the inner case 21.

[0026] The inner case 21 and the outer case 22 each have a generally cylindrical shape centered on the axis line CX and extending in the axial direction X. The inner case 21 has a first member 23 and a second member 24. The outer case 22 has a third member 25 and a fourth member 26.

[0027] 3, the members 23 and 24 have shapes curved away from each other when viewed in the axial direction X. The second member 24 overlaps the first member 23, so that the inner case 21 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0028] Between the first member 23 and the second member 24, a housing section 15 is defined in which the blower unit 2, the heating unit 3, and the control unit 4 are housed. The housing section 15 has an elongated shape along the axial direction X. A plurality of supports are provided on the inner surfaces of the members 23 and 24, respectively, for supporting the housed units.

[0029] The first member 23 has an end 23a and an end 23b opposite the end 23a. The second member 24 has an end 24a and an end 24b opposite the end 24a. The ends 23a and 24a are located on the first end 1a side, and the ends 23b and 24b are located on the second end 1b side.

[0030] The end portion 23a is provided with a plurality of intake parts 231 penetrating the first member 23. The end portion 24a is provided with a plurality of intake parts 241 penetrating the second member 24. The plurality of intake parts 231, 241 penetrate the members 23, 24 in a direction intersecting with the axial direction X.

[0031] The multiple intake sections 231, 241 are aligned in a circumferential direction θ (shown in FIG. 3) centered on the axis line CX, and are aligned in the axial direction X. The region where the multiple intake sections 231 are formed faces, for example, the region where the multiple intake sections 241 are formed.

[0032] The intake parts 231, 241 have, for example, a substantially rectangular shape, but the shape of the intake parts 231, 241 is not limited to this example. The position, shape and number of the intake parts 231 of the first member 23 may be the same as or different from the position, shape and number of the intake parts 241 of the second member 24.

[0033] The second member 24 has a recess 243 on its outer surface that is recessed toward the axis line CX. The recess 243 is formed in an area that overlaps with the control unit 4. The recess 243 has a predetermined length in the axial direction X. A plurality of through holes 245 in which an operation unit 45 described later is provided are formed in the bottom surface of the recess 243.

[0034] A discharge portion 211 is formed at the tip of the inner case 21 on the second end 1b side. The discharge portion 211 is defined by ends 23b, 24b of the members 23, 24. The discharge portion 211 opens in the axial direction X. The discharge portion 211 has a substantially circular shape when viewed in the direction opposite to the axial direction X.

[0035] The third member 25 is provided so as to be detachable from the inner case 21. The third member 25 can be attached to the inner case 21 by moving it along the axial direction X. In the case 1, for example, the area where the third member 25 is provided corresponds to the first end portion 1a.

[0036] The third member 25 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the third member 25 has a peripheral wall 251 and an end wall 253 connected to the peripheral wall 251. The peripheral wall 251 is formed integrally with the end wall 253, for example. The third member 25 further has a plurality of intake portions 255. The intake portions 255 are formed from the peripheral wall 251 to the end wall 253.

[0037] The intake section 255 has a first opening 2551 formed in the peripheral wall 251 and a second opening 2553 formed in the end wall 253. The first opening 2551 is connected to the second opening 2553.

[0038] The first opening 2551 penetrates the peripheral wall 251 in a direction intersecting the axial direction X. The first opening 2551 is formed along the axial direction X in the peripheral wall 251. The first opening 2551 has a predetermined length in the axial direction X.

[0039] The second opening 2553 penetrates the end wall 253 in the axial direction X. The second opening 2553 is formed in the end wall 253 near the edge, as shown in Fig. 5. In other words, the second opening 2553 does not extend to the center of the end wall 253.

[0040] The multiple intake sections 255 are provided, for example, at equal intervals in the circumferential direction θ. In relation to the inner case 21, the multiple first openings 2551 overlap with the intake sections 231, 241 of the inner case 21, respectively. The length of the first openings 2551 in the axial direction X is approximately equal to the length of the region of the inner case 21 in which the multiple intake sections 231, 241 are formed, in the axial direction X.

[0041] The air intake 11 is formed by overlapping a plurality of air intake sections 231, 241 of the inner case 21 with a plurality of air intake sections 255 of the outer case 22. This allows the drying device 100 to draw air from the outside of the case 1 at the first end 1a along a direction intersecting the axial direction X (specifically, a direction toward the axis line CX). As shown in Fig. 5, the end wall 253 further has a through hole 257 in the center through which the power cable 5 passes.

[0042] 3, the fourth member 26 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. The fourth member 26 covers the inner case 21. Specifically, the fourth member 26 covers an area of ​​the inner case 21 that is not covered by the third member 25. The fourth member 26 can be attached to the inner case 21 by moving it along the direction opposite to the axial direction X.

[0043] The fourth member 26 has an end 26b located on the second end 1b side. An end wall 261 is provided at the tip of the end 26b. As shown in Fig. 6, the end wall 261 is formed with a discharge portion 263. Thus, the fourth member 26 is open in the axial direction X at the end 26b.

[0044] 6, the outlet portion 263 has a substantially circular shape when viewed in the opposite direction to the axial direction X. The outlet portion 263 opens in a substantially circular shape. The diameter of the outlet portion 263 is, for example, 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less.

[0045] The discharge portion 211 of the inner case 21 and the discharge portion 263 of the fourth member 26 overlap when viewed in the opposite direction of the axial direction X. The discharge port 13 is formed by the discharge portion 211 of the inner case 21 and the discharge portion 263 of the fourth member 26. This allows the drying device 100 to discharge air from the second end portion 1b to the outside of the case 1 along the axial direction X.

[0046] 3, the fourth member 26 further has a through hole 265. The through hole 265 is formed at a position corresponding to the recess 243 of the inner case 21. The size of the through hole 265 is approximately equal to the size of the recess 243. As a result, when the outer case 22 is attached to the inner case 21, the recess 243 of the inner case 21 is exposed.

[0047] 3, the drying appliance 100 may further include a filter member 6. The filter member 6 is provided between the plurality of air intake parts 255 and the plurality of air intake parts 231, 241. The filter member 6 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel, but is not limited to this example.

[0048] The filter member 6 has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 61 extending in the axial direction X. A plurality of through holes (not shown) are formed in the peripheral wall 61. The plurality of through holes are formed in a mesh pattern. The size of the through holes is very small, for example, with a diameter of about 1 mm or less. Foreign matter such as dust and dirt that has passed through the intake portion 255 is collected by the filter member 6. This makes it possible to prevent the foreign matter from entering the inside of the case 1.

[0049] Since the third member 25 is provided so as to be detachable from the inner case 21, by removing the third member 25, the foreign matter collected in the filter member 6 can be easily removed.

[0050] 6, the drying appliance 100 may further include a discharge member 7. The discharge member 7 is provided at the discharge port 13. The discharge member 7 is held by a first member 23 and a second member 24, for example.

[0051] The discharge member 7 has a substantially circular disk shape. When viewed in the opposite direction to the axial direction X, the discharge member 7 overlaps the discharge portion 263. As shown in Fig. 6, the discharge member 7 is provided with a plurality of through holes 71 penetrating in the axial direction X. The through holes 71 have, for example, a substantially hexagonal shape, but are not limited to this example.

[0052] One of the functions of the discharge member 7 is to straighten the air discharged from the discharge port 13 by using the multiple through holes 71. This straightens the discharged air and makes it easier to send the air along the axial direction X. The size, shape, etc. of the through holes 71 of the discharge member 7 are appropriately changed depending on the wind speed, wind pressure, etc. of the discharged air.

[0053] Next, the relationship between the blower unit 2, the heating unit 3, and the control unit 4 in the storage section 15 will be described. The intake port 11, the control unit 4, the blower unit 2, the heating unit 3, and the exhaust port 13 are arranged in this order in the axial direction X as shown in Fig. 7. Here, being arranged in the axial direction X also includes a state in which at least one element does not overlap when viewed in the axial direction X.

[0054] In relation to the intake port 11, the blower unit 2 is provided away from the intake port 11 in the axial direction X. In other words, the blower unit 2 does not overlap with the intake port 11 in a direction intersecting the axial direction X. Therefore, a certain space is formed in the axial direction X between the intake port 11 and the blower unit 2. The control unit 4 is located in this space.

[0055] The control unit 4 is located between the air intake port 11 and the air blowing unit 2. The air blowing unit 2 is located between the control unit 4 and the heating unit 3. The heating unit 3 is located between the air blowing unit 2 and the air outlet port 13.

[0056] 7, the flow of air in the drying device 100 is indicated by arrows. When the blower unit 2 is driven, air is sucked in through the air intake 11 of the case 1. Specifically, the air is sucked in by passing through the air intake section 255 of the third member 25, the filter member 6, and the air intake section 231 of the first member 23, or the air is sucked in by passing through the air intake section 255 of the third member 25, the filter member 6, and the air intake section 241 of the second member 24.

[0057] The air sucked in through the intake port 11 travels through the storage section 15 along the axial direction X, passing through the control unit 4, the blower unit 2, and the heating unit 3 in this order, and is discharged from the discharge port 13. In this way, the storage section 15 also functions as an air flow path.

[0058] The control unit 4 is configured to be able to control the blower unit 2 and the heating unit 3. As shown in Figs. 3 and 7, the control unit 4 includes a control board 41 and an operation board 43. The control board 41 is electrically connected to the operation board 43, the blower unit 2, and the heating unit 3. The control board 41 includes a control circuit for controlling, for example, the rotation speed of the motor 35 described below and the temperature of the heater 53. The control board 41 and the operation board 43 each have a long flat plate shape in the axial direction X, for example.

[0059] The control board 41 and the operation board 43 are each provided along the axial direction X. The operation board 43 is provided between the control board 41 and the second member 24. The spaces between the control board 41 and the first member 23 and between the control board 41 and the operation board 43 form part of the air flow path, as shown in FIG.

[0060] The operation board 43 is provided with an operation unit 45. The operation unit 45 includes a power switch 47 and a plurality of buttons 49. The power switch 47 and the plurality of buttons 49 are respectively provided in through holes 245 (shown in FIG. 3 ) of the second member 24. A user can operate the drying appliance 100 via the operation unit 45.

[0061] A user can, for example, supply power to the drying appliance 100 by operating the power switch 47, or select a preset operation mode by operating a plurality of buttons 49.

[0062] Fig. 8 is an enlarged view showing part VIII shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the blower unit 2 included in the drying appliance 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the blower unit 2 shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the heating unit 3 included in the drying appliance 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the heating unit 3 shown in Fig. 11.

[0063] The blower unit 2 forms an air flow (air current) along the axial direction X in the drying appliance 100. Specifically, the drying appliance 100 sucks air from the air inlet 11 by the blower unit 2, and sends the air along the axial direction X toward the outlet 13.

[0064] 9 and 10, the blower unit 2 has a holding member 31, a fan 33, a motor 35, and a vibration-proof member 37. The holding member 31 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. A part of the motor 35 and the fan 33 are housed in the holding member 31. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the fan 33 and the motor 35 are arranged in this order in the axial direction X.

[0065] The holding member 31 has an outer cylinder 311, an inner cylinder (not shown) provided inside the outer cylinder 311, and a plurality of supports (not shown) connecting the outer cylinder 311 and the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder covers the motor 35. The plurality of supports are provided at equal intervals around the axis line CX.

[0066] In one example, the fan 33 is an axial flow fan. The fan 33 is formed of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy, but is not limited to this example. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the fan 33 has a base portion 331 and a plurality of blades 333. The base portion 331 is formed in a cup shape.

[0067] 8, the fan 33 further has a rotation shaft 337 along the axial direction X. The rotation shaft 337 is formed by penetrating the base portion 331 in the axial direction X. The rotation shaft 337 is, for example, a hollow shaft.

[0068] 9, the plurality of blades 333 are provided between the base portion 331 and the holding member 31. The plurality of blades 333 extend from the outer circumferential surface of the base portion 331 toward the holding member 31.

[0069] The multiple blades 333 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction θ. The number of the multiple blades 333 is, for example, 11. The number of the multiple blades 333 may be 10 or less, or 12 or more. The inclination of the multiple blades 333 with respect to the rotation shaft 337 is set so that air flows along the rotation shaft 337 when the fan 33 rotates.

[0070] 10, the fan 33 rotates in the direction of the arrow R1, thereby forming an air flow (indicated by the arrow R2) along the rotation axis 337. Specifically, air located upstream of the fan 33 is sucked in and flows downstream along the axial direction X. As a result, air flows inside the holding member 31 in the axial direction X. The inside of the holding member 31 forms a part of the air flow path.

[0071] 8, the motor 35 is located between the fan 33 and the heating unit 3. Since the motor 35 is provided downstream of the fan 33, the motor 35 is cooled by the flowing air, and the temperature of the motor 35 is unlikely to increase.

[0072] 8, the motor 35 has a rotation shaft 351 extending in the axial direction X. The motor 35 is coupled to the rotation shaft 337 of the fan 33 via the rotation shaft 351. The central axes of the rotation shafts 337 and 351 approximately coincide with the axis line CX of the drying appliance 100.

[0073] The motor 35 further includes a rotor, a stator, etc. (not shown). When the rotary shaft 351 of the motor 35 rotates, the base portion 331 and the plurality of blades 333 of the fan 33 rotate.

[0074] The fan 33 is configured to be rotatable at high speed by the motor 35. The motor 35 is, for example, a DC motor (one example is a brushless DC motor). The rotation speed of the motor 35 is, for example, 50,000 rpm or more and 110,000 rpm or less. The rotation speed of the fan 33 corresponds to the rotation speed of the motor 35.

[0075] The vibration-proof member 37 is, for example, a vibration-proof rubber. The vibration-proof member 37 is provided outside the holding member 31. The vibration-proof member 37 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. The length of the vibration-proof member 37 in the axial direction X is approximately equal to the length of the holding member 31 in the axial direction X. The vibration-proof member 37 is formed of, for example, a rubber material, but is not limited to this example.

[0076] 10, the vibration-proof member 37 has an inner circumferential surface 371 facing the holding member 31 and an outer circumferential surface 373 facing the inner case 21. A plurality of protrusions 375 are formed on the outer circumferential surface 373. A portion of the inner circumferential surface 371 is in contact with the holding member 31.

[0077] A portion of the outer peripheral surface 373 is in contact with the inner case 21. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface 373 is in contact with an annular support formed along the circumferential direction θ of the inner case 21. By having the vibration-proof member 37 in partial contact with the holding member 31 and the inner case 21 in this manner, vibrations generated when the blower unit 2 is driven are less likely to be transmitted to the inner case 21.

[0078] The heating unit 3 heats the air sent from the blower unit 2. The heating unit 3 has a heater case 51, a heater 53, and fin portions 55 and 57, as shown in FIGS.

[0079] The heater case 51 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. The heater 53 and the fin portions 55, 57 are housed in the heater case 51 as shown in Fig. 11. The heater case 51 has a first case 511 provided on the first member 23 side and a second case 513 provided on the second member 24 side.

[0080] The first case 511 and the second case 513 have a curved shape that moves away from each other when viewed in the axial direction X. The second case 513 overlaps the first case 511, thereby forming the heater case 51 into a substantially cylindrical shape. As a result, an accommodation section in which the heater 53 and the fin portions 55 and 57 are accommodated is formed between the first case 511 and the second case 513.

[0081] The heater 53 is, for example, a PTC heater. The heater 53 has, for example, a long flat plate shape in the axial direction X. As shown in FIG. 8, the heater 53 has a surface 531 facing the first member 23 and a surface 533 facing the second member 24. The surface 533 corresponds to the surface opposite to the surface 531.

[0082] Fin portions 55 and 57 are formed of, for example, a metal material with high thermal conductivity (an aluminum alloy as one example). Fin portion 55 is provided on surface 531, and fin portion 57 is provided on surface 533. The length of fin portions 55 and 57 in the axial direction X is approximately equal to the length of heater 53 in the axial direction X.

[0083] 11, each of the fin portions 55 and 57 has a plurality of fins 59. The fins 59 have a flat plate shape that is long in the axial direction X. The thickness of the fins 59 is smaller than the thickness of the heater 53, for example.

[0084] The fins 59 are provided substantially perpendicular to the surfaces 531, 533. Since the cross-sectional shape of the heater case 51 is substantially circular, the height of the fins 59 gradually decreases with increasing distance from the axis line CX.

[0085] The multiple fins 59 are aligned at intervals in a direction intersecting the axial direction X. As a result, slits SL extending in the axial direction X are formed between adjacent fins 59. The multiple slits SL are formed between the surface 531 of the heater 53 and the first case 511, and between the surface 533 of the heater 53 and the second case 513, respectively. The multiple slits SL form part of a flow path for air sent from the blower unit 2.

[0086] When a current flows, heater 53 generates heat, and the heat of heater 53 is transferred to multiple fins 59 via surfaces 531 and 533, respectively, to heat fin portions 55 and 57. Then, when air passes through multiple slits SL, it is heated and hot air is generated.

[0087] The temperature of the passing air is, for example, 40 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less (55 degrees in one example). The length of the slits SL in the axial direction X, the number of the slits SL, etc. are appropriately changed according to the temperature of the air at the discharge port 13.

[0088] The drying device 100 may further include an ozone generation unit 8. The ozone generation unit 8 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 15 of the case 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the ozone generation unit 8 has a high-voltage power supply 81 and an ozone generating section 83.

[0089] The high-voltage power supply 81 is located between the intake port 11 and the blower unit 2. Specifically, the high-voltage power supply 81 is located upstream of the control unit 4. The high-voltage power supply 81 is electrically connected to the control board 41. In other words, the control unit 4 is configured to be able to control the ozone generation unit 8.

[0090] The ozone generating section 83 is located between the blowing unit 2 and the outlet 13. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the ozone generating section 83 is located between the blowing unit 2 and the heating unit 3. The ozone generating section 83 may be located downstream of the heating unit 3.

[0091] The ozone generating section 83 is electrically connected to the high voltage power supply 81. The ozone generating section 83 has a discharge section (not shown). The ozone generating section 83 decomposes oxygen in the air by discharging the discharge section, thereby generating ozone. The generated ozone passes through the heating unit 3 and is discharged from the discharge port 13.

[0092] The drying device 100 may further include sheet members 91 and 93 (shown in FIG. 3) and a sheet member 95 (shown in FIG. 12). The sheet members 91, 93, and 95 are formed of, for example, a flame-retardant resin material. The thickness of the sheet members 91, 93, and 95 is, for example, smaller than the thickness of each member constituting the case 1. The thickness of the sheet members 91, 93, and 95 is, for example, about 0.25 mm.

[0093] 3, the sheet member 91 covers the control unit 4 in the storage section 15. The sheet member 91 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. The sheet member 91 has a first sheet 911 provided on the first member 23 side and a second sheet 913 provided on the second member 24 side.

[0094] The first sheet 911 and the second sheet 913 have shapes that are curved away from each other when viewed in the axial direction X. The second sheet 913 overlaps the first sheet 911, so that the sheet member 91 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0095] The sheet member 93 is located between the inner case 21 and the outer case 22. The sheet member 93 is disposed so as to overlap the control unit 4, the blower unit 2, and the heating unit 3, sandwiching the inner case 21. The sheet member 93 has a through hole formed at a position corresponding to the recess 243 of the inner case 21, as shown in FIG.

[0096] 12, the sheet member 95 covers the heater 53 and the fin portions 55, 57 inside the heater case 51. The sheet member 95 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. The length of the sheet member 95 in the axial direction X is approximately equal to the length of the fin portions 55, 57 in the axial direction X.

[0097] Next, a description will be given of the air (hot air) discharged from the outlet 13. The air discharged from the outlet 13 is set depending on the rotation speed of the motor 35 and the fan 33 of the blower unit 2, the shape of the storage section 15 (flow path), the size of the outlet 13, etc. In this embodiment, the air discharged from the outlet 13 is set as follows.

[0098] The wind speed of the air discharged from the discharge port 13 is, for example, 10 to 20 m per second. The wind speed is preferably 12 to 18 m per second, and more preferably 14 to 16 m per second. The above-mentioned wind speed is, for example, a value at a position about 3 cm away from the discharge port 13 in the axial direction X. The wind speed can be measured, for example, by a windmill-type anemometer or a thermal anemometer. The drying appliance 100 can discharge air (hot air) having a wind speed of 10 to 16 m per second and a temperature of 40 to 70 degrees Celsius.

[0099] At such a wind speed, the wind pressure of the discharged air can be increased. For example, when the air of the drying device 100 is discharged toward a weighing scale installed at a position about 10 cm away from the discharge port 13 in the axial direction X, the value indicated by the weighing scale is, for example, 40 g or more.

[0100] Fig. 13 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the installed state of the drying appliance 100. In Fig. 13, the longitudinal direction LD of the futon 10 and the transverse direction SD of the futon 10 are defined. In the example shown in Fig. 13, the drying appliance 100 is provided on one side (the head side) of the longitudinal direction LD of the futon 10. In the example shown in Fig. 13, the longitudinal direction LD of the futon 10 is a direction along the axial direction X of the drying appliance 100.

[0101] The dryer 100 is disposed between the mattress 10A and the comforter 10B. Specifically, the air intake 11 of the dryer 100 is exposed from the mattress 10A, and the other parts of the dryer 100 overlap the comforter 10B. In relation to the comforter 10B, the air blower unit 2, the heating unit 3, and the control unit 4 overlap the comforter 10B.

[0102] 13, arrows indicate the flow of air A discharged from the discharge port 13 of the dryer 100. The air A discharged from the discharge port 13 flows between the mattress 10A and the comforter 10B along the longitudinal direction LD of the comforter 10 (the axial direction X in the dryer 100).

[0103] As described above, the wind pressure of the air discharged from the drying appliance 100 is high. This allows the air A to travel between the mattress 10A and the comforter 10B in the longitudinal direction LD and reach the other side (leg side) of the comforter 10.

[0104] Furthermore, part of the air A travels in the longitudinal direction LD while also traveling in the short-side direction SD of the futon 10. In this way, the air A discharged from the drying device 100 spreads throughout the entire futon 10, thereby warming the entire futon 10 to a predetermined temperature.

[0105] Fig. 14 is a graph showing the temperature change of the futon 10 when the drying appliance 100 is used. Here, the drying appliance 100 is placed on the futon 10 as shown in Fig. 13, and the temperature is measured at a corner C (shown in Fig. 13) of the mattress 10A. The corner C is located on the opposite side to the end where the drying appliance 100 is placed.

[0106] The temperature of the air discharged from the drying appliance 100 is about 60 degrees. In Fig. 14, the horizontal axis indicates time (min) and the vertical axis indicates temperature (°C). Here, time corresponds to the elapsed time from the start of operation of the drying appliance 100.

[0107] It was confirmed that the temperature of the corner C rose to about 45 degrees or more about 40 minutes after the start of the test. Thereafter, it was confirmed that the temperature of the corner C stabilized between about 47 degrees and about 49 degrees until the operation of the drying device 100 was stopped, as shown in part XIV.

[0108] As a result, the drying appliance 100 according to the present embodiment can reliably warm up to the corner C of the futon 10. In other words, even if the drying appliance 100 is installed at the head side of the futon 10, the foot side of the futon 10 can be reliably warmed.

[0109] Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining the temperature distribution when the futon dryer according to the comparative example is used. Fig. 16 is a diagram for explaining the temperature distribution when the drying appliance 100 is used.

[0110] The futon dryer according to the comparative example includes, for example, a dryer body and a nozzle extending from the dryer body. In the futon dryer according to the comparative example, air heated by the dryer body is discharged from the tip of the nozzle. The wind speed of the air discharged from the tip of the nozzle is about 5 m per second.

[0111] That is, the wind speed of the air discharged from the dryer 100 is greater than that of the futon dryer of the comparative example, being approximately twice as fast. As with the dryer 100, the tip of the nozzle was attached to the futon 10. The tip of the nozzle was positioned so as to be approximately equal to the outlet 13 of the dryer 100 shown in FIG.

[0112] 15 and 16 show the results of measuring the surface temperatures of the mattress 10A and the comforter 10B after heating for 20 minutes using thermography. In Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, the area where the temperature is about 40 degrees or higher is shown as area B.

[0113] The size of area B shown in Fig. 16 is larger than the size of area B shown in Fig. 15. That is, it was confirmed that when the drying appliance 100 was used, the temperature of the entire futon 10 was higher than when the futon dryer of the comparative example was used.

[0114] The average temperatures on the surfaces of the mattress 10A and the comforter 10B were as follows. In the case of the dryer 100, the mattress 10A was 48 degrees and the comforter 10B was 44 degrees. In the case of the comforter dryer of the comparative example, the mattress 10A was 42 degrees and the comforter 10B was 37 degrees. This confirmed that the dryer 100 could warm both the mattress 10A and the comforter 10B better than the comforter dryer of the comparative example.

[0115] For these reasons, the drying appliance 100 according to this embodiment can warm the entire futon 10 more reliably than the futon dryer according to the comparative example. Although an example of installation on the futon 10 has been described in Fig. 13 to Fig. 16, the same effect can be obtained when the appliance is installed on a bed device or the like.

[0116] The drying appliance 100 configured as above can improve convenience. Specifically, in the drying appliance 100, the air intake 11, the blower unit 2, the heating unit 3, and the exhaust port 13 are arranged in this order along the axial direction X.

[0117] By arranging the intake port 11, the blower unit 2, the heating unit 3, and the exhaust port 13 in this manner, the components constituting the drying device 100 can be arranged compactly, and the case 1 can be made smaller. Specifically, the case 1 having the intake port 11 and the exhaust port 13 can accommodate the blower unit 2 and the heating unit 3.

[0118] The miniaturization of the case 1 can reduce the trouble for a user involved in moving and installing the drying appliance 100. As a result, the present embodiment can improve the convenience of the drying appliance 100. Furthermore, since the drying appliance 100 is miniaturized, a space for accommodating the drying appliance 100 when not in use can be small.

[0119] In this embodiment, the case 1 has a cylindrical shape, so the dryer 100 can be easily inserted and installed between the mattress and the comforter. Since the dryer 100 does not have a comforter bag or a nozzle, for example, the effort required to install it on the comforter 10 is reduced compared to devices that have a comforter bag or a nozzle. The dryer according to this embodiment is more convenient than these devices.

[0120] In this embodiment, the control unit 4 is located between the air intake 11 and the blower unit 2. Specifically, the control unit 4 is located upstream of the heating unit 3. This suppresses the influence of heat from the heating unit 3 on the control unit 4.

[0121] In this embodiment, the fan 33 included in the blower unit 2 has a rotation axis 337 along the axial direction X, and can make air flow along the rotation axis 337. An airflow passing through the storage section 15 of the case 1 can be formed.

[0122] In this embodiment, the fan 33 is configured to be rotatable at high speed by the motor 35. Specifically, the rotation speed of the motor is, for example, 50,000 rpm or more and 110,000 rpm or less (approximately 100,000 rpm in one example). By providing the blower unit 2 having such motor 35 and fan 33, it is possible to discharge air at a high wind speed. Even in the case of the miniaturized drying appliance 100, it is possible to discharge air with a high wind pressure due to such a wind speed.

[0123] This ensures that enough hot air can be discharged to reliably warm the object (for example, a futon). Specifically, as described with reference to Figures 13 to 16, the wind pressure is large, so the air spreads throughout the futon 10, reliably warming the entire futon 10. In addition, because the suction force can be increased by the blower unit 2, the air intake 11 and the blower unit 2 can be positioned with a gap between them in the axial direction X.

[0124] In this embodiment, the drying appliance 100 further includes an ozone generating unit 8. With this, by discharging ozone from the outlet 13, not only can the target object (e.g., a futon) be warmed, but also odors attached to the target object can be suppressed. The drying appliance 100 may further include a safety device such as a thermostat or a temperature fuse.

[0125] In the present embodiment, the dryer 100 is applied to a futon as an example, but the dryer 100 can be applied to other purposes such as drying clothes, removing wrinkles from clothes, drying shoes, etc. The dryer 100 according to the present embodiment can send hot air to an object other than a futon and heat the object to a predetermined temperature according to the purpose. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1...case, 1a...first end, 1b...second end, 2...blower unit, 3...heating unit, 4...control unit, 8...ozone generation unit, 11...intake port, 13...outlet port, 33...fan, 35...motor, 83...ozone generation section, 100...drying device, 337...rotating shaft.

Claims

1. A futon drying device, comprising: A case having an intake port and an exhaust port to be inserted into the futon, the case being formed in a cylindrical shape extending in an axial direction; a blower unit that is housed in the case, sucks in air through the intake port, and blows the air toward the exhaust port; a heating unit that is housed in the case and heats the air sent from the air blowing unit, the intake port, the blower unit, the heating unit, and the exhaust port are arranged in this order along the axial direction, The air heated by the heating unit is discharged from the discharge port. drying equipment.

2. The heating device further includes a control unit that is accommodated in the case between the air intake and the air blowing unit and is configured to be able to control the air blowing unit and the heating unit.

2. The drying appliance of claim 1.

3. The intake port penetrates the case in a direction intersecting the axial direction.

2. The drying appliance of claim 1.

4. The discharge port is open in the axial direction.

2. The drying appliance of claim 1.

5. The nozzle further includes a discharge member provided at the discharge port and having a plurality of through holes for rectifying the air discharged from the discharge port.

5. The drying appliance of claim 4.

6. Further comprising a power cable extending in a direction opposite to the axial direction, The case is provided on the opposite side to the outlet and has a through hole through which the power cable passes.

5. The drying appliance of claim 4.

7. The blower unit includes a fan having a rotation axis along the axial direction, The fan forms the air flow along the rotation axis.

2. The drying appliance of claim 1.

8. The air blowing unit is housed in the case between the fan and the heating unit and further includes a motor connected to the rotating shaft.

8. The drying appliance of claim 7.

9. The length of the case in the axial direction is 250 mm or more and 350 mm or less.

2. The drying appliance of claim 1.

10. The wind speed of the air discharged from the outlet is 10 m / s or more.

2. The drying appliance of claim 1.

11. The cross-sectional shape of the case includes a polygonal shape. A drying appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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