Dryer

Abstract

To provide a dryer with a driving unit, in which the rotation center of the rotor is located on a concentric axis with the rotation center of the drum.SOLUTION: A dryer includes a drum including a drum body, a front cover, a rear cover, and a drum inlet penetrating through the front cover and communicating with the inside of the drum body; a fixing panel disposed apart from the rear cover; a motor including a stator fixed to the fixing panel, and a rotor rotating by the stator to supply a rotational force to the drum; a supply port formed in the shape of a ring on the fixing panel along an outer circumferential surface of the motor, guiding air to the air inlet; a ring-shaped supply duct that is fixed to the fixing panel, and guides air to the supply port, with an accommodator for accommodating the motor at the center thereof; a first cooling hole formed on the fixing panel; a second cooling hole formed on the fixing panel apart from the first cooling hole; and a duct cover that circulates air to cool the motor by connecting the first cooling hole, the accommodator, and the second cooling hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] The dryer is a device for drying objects, and is a device for drying the objects by supplying hot air into the inside of an object storage unit.

[0003] Drum dryers, in which the object storage section is formed into a cylindrical drum shape and hot air is supplied into the drum while rotating, are widely used. In particular, drum dryers that rotate about a substantially horizontal axis are widely used as home dryers.

[0004] In such drum dryers, a motor is used to rotate the drum, and the driving force of the motor is transmitted to the drum via a power transmission unit such as a belt to rotate the drum. Generally, the rotation shaft of the motor is different from the rotation shaft of the drum. This is called a belt type.

[0005] Therefore, power loss may occur due to the power transmission parts such as the belt, and additional space is required inside the case to mount the motor and the power transmission parts such as the belt.

[0006] Most drum washing machines these days are not belt type, but direct drive type (or direct drive) drum type washing machines. Direct drive type means that the motor shaft and the drum shaft are coaxial, and the motor stator is generally attached to the rear wall or bottom wall of the tub. Motors normally used in washing machines are called DD (direct drive) motors, and such washing machines are called DD washing machines.

[0007] The direct drive type has many advantages over the belt drive type. For example, the drum drive RPM and drum torque can be varied and controlled in various environments. It is also very easy to control the drum rotation direction and drum rotation angle. There is also an advantage in that the power loss is reduced, saving energy.

[0008] Of course, in the case of a washing machine with a dryer, the motor is provided in the tub, so a direct connection structure between the drum and the motor can be easily applied, but in the case of a pure dryer that does not provide a washing function, there is no structure such as a tub for fixing the motor, so it is not easy to realize a direct connection type dryer.

[0009] Therefore, in the case of existing dryers, although the direct drive type has various advantages over the belt type, it is not easy to apply the direct drive type to dryers, and the direct drive type is structurally necessary. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a dryer having a drive unit that reduces the rotation speed of the rotor and transmits it to the drum, and in which the rotation center of the rotor and the rotation center of the drum are on the same axis.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dryer in which the volume of a driving unit is minimized.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a dryer having an improved flow path for air supplied to the drum.

[0013] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a dryer having an improved cooling flow path for a motor that drives a drum.

[0014] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dryer having an improved fixing structure for fixing a motor and a power transmission unit.

[0015] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a dryer in which vibrations generated in a power transmission unit that transmits power from a motor are reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] a motor including a stator fixed to the fixed panel and a rotor rotated by the stator to supply torque to the drum; a supply port formed in a link shape on the fixed panel along an outer circumferential surface of the motor and having a number of supply holes for directing air to the air inlet; a ring-shaped supply duct fixed to the fixed panel for directing air to the supply port and having a housing portion for housing the motor in a center thereof, the supply duct including a first cooling hole formed in the fixed panel, a second cooling hole formed in the fixed panel at a distance from the first cooling hole, and a duct cover connecting the first cooling hole, the housing portion, and the second cooling hole to circulate air to cool the motor.

[0017] It is preferable that the first cooling hole is formed on a lower side of the fixing panel with respect to the receiving portion, and the second cooling hole is formed on an upper side of the fixing panel with respect to the receiving portion.

[0018] It is preferable that an exhaust passage through which air from the accommodation section is exhausted is formed on one side of the supply duct, and the second cooling hole is formed on one side of the exhaust passage.

[0019] It is preferable that the duct cover includes a first cooling duct that guides air from the first cooling hole to the storage section, a cover plate into which the air guided by the first cooling duct flows and covers the storage section to form a space, and a second cooling duct extending from the cover plate to the second cooling hole.

[0020] The duct cover is in the form of a case that covers the first cooling hole, the housing portion, the supply duct and the second cooling hole, and is preferably fixed to the fixed panel.

[0021] It is preferable that the duct cover includes a cover plate formed to be larger than the area formed by the first cooling hole, the supply duct, and the second cooling hole, and a cover side wall fixed to the fixing panel on the outer circumferential surface of the cover plate and higher than the height of the supply duct.

[0022] Preferably, the rotor further includes a number of vanes extending diametrically about the rotor for moving air in the enclosure.

[0023] It is preferable that the rotor further includes a number of rotor through-holes extending in the diametrical direction of the rotor so that air within the rotor can be exhausted.

[0024] It is preferable that either the first cooling hole or the second cooling hole further includes a cooling fan for moving air.

[0025] It is preferable that the power transmission unit further includes a first shaft connected to the rotor, a second shaft connected to the rear cover, and an interlocking gear that reduces the rotational force of the first shaft and transmits it to the second shaft, and the power transmission unit has a housing fixed to the fixed panel. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the dryer of the present invention, a dryer can be provided that is equipped with a drive unit that reduces the rotation speed of the rotor and transmits it to the drum, and in which the rotation center of the rotor and the rotation center of the drum are on the same axis.

[0027] Furthermore, according to the dryer of the present invention, a dryer in which the volume of the drive unit is minimized can be provided.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the dryer of the present invention, a dryer having an improved flow path for the air supplied to the drum can be provided.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the dryer of the present invention, it is possible to provide a dryer having an improved cooling flow path for the motor that drives the drum.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the dryer of the present invention, it is possible to provide a dryer having an improved fixing structure for fixing the motor and the power transmission unit.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the dryer of the present invention, it is possible to provide a dryer in which vibrations generated in a power transmission unit that transmits power from a motor are reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] [Diagram 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] [Diagram 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a driving unit of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a driving unit of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a gear portion of a drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] [Figure 6] 4 is a simplified diagram showing a gear portion of a drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a driving unit of a dryer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a driving unit of a dryer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a gear portion of a drive unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] [Figure 10] 13 is a simplified diagram showing a gear portion of a drive unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing a drive unit bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a drive unit bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a drive unit cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] [Figure 14] 1 is a perspective view showing a drive unit cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a rear view showing a drive unit cooling structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] [Figure 16]FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a drive unit cooling structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. When adding reference numerals to components in each drawing, the same numerals are used as much as possible for the same components even if they are shown in different drawings. In addition, when describing the embodiment of the present invention, detailed descriptions of related publicly known configurations or techniques are omitted if it is determined that the gist of the embodiment of the present invention may be obscured.

[0050] In addition, when describing components of the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. are used to distinguish the components from other components, and the terms do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components. When a component is referred to as being "coupled," "connected," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but may also have other components "coupled," "connected," or "connected" therebetween.

[0051] Hereinafter, a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described.

[0052] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the dryer 100 includes a cabinet 1, a drum 2 rotatably mounted within the cabinet to provide a space for storing clothes (items to be washed or dried), a supply unit 3 that supplies high-temperature dry air (air at a temperature higher than room temperature, air with a higher dryness than the dryness of indoor air) to the drum 2 to remove moisture from the clothes, and a drive unit (D) that rotates the drum.

[0054] Cabinet 1 includes a front panel 11 that forms the front surface of the dryer, and a base panel 17 that forms the bottom surface of the dryer. Front panel 11 is provided with an input port 111 that communicates with drum 2, and input port 111 is closed by a door 113.

[0055] The front panel 11 is provided with a control panel 115, which is provided with an input unit 116 for inputting control commands from a user and a display unit 117 for outputting information such as user-selectable control commands. The input unit 116 includes a power supply request unit for requesting power supply to the dryer, a course input unit for selecting a course desired by the user from a number of courses, and an execution request unit for requesting the start of the course selected by the user.

[0056] The drum 2 is a hollow cylinder. As an example, Fig. 1 shows a case in which the drum 2 is made up of a cylindrical drum body 21 with an open front and rear, a front cover 22 that forms the front of the drum body 21, and a rear cover 23 that forms the rear of the drum body 21. The front cover 22 is provided with a drum insertion port 221 that communicates between the inside and outside of the drum body 21.

[0057] The drum 2 is rotatably fixed to either the support panel 12 or the fixed panel 15. As an example, FIG. 1 shows a case in which the rear cover 23 is rotatably fixed to the fixed panel 15 via a drive unit (D), and the front cover 22 is rotatably connected to the support panel 12.

[0058] The support panel 12 is fixed to the cabinet 1 and is located between the front panel 11 and the front cover 22. As an example, Fig. 1 shows a case in which the support panel 12 is fixed to the base panel 17 and is located between the front panel 11 and the front cover 22. In this case, the rear surface of the front panel 11 (the surface facing the support panel) is fixed to the support panel 12, and the lower end is fixed to the base panel 17.

[0059] The support panel 12 is provided with a support panel through hole 122 , a drum connecting body 123 connecting the support panel through hole 122 to the drum input port 221 , and a panel connecting body 126 connecting the support panel through hole 122 to the input port 111 .

[0060] The support panel through-hole 122 is provided to penetrate the support panel 12 and serves to connect the input port 111 and the drum input port 221 .

[0061] The drum connecting body 123 is a pipe fixed to the rear surface of the support panel 12 (the surface facing the drum input port in the space provided by the support panel). One end of the drum connecting body 123 surrounds the support panel through hole 122, and the free end of the drum connecting body 123 supports the front cover 22. That is, the free end of the drum connecting body 123 is inserted into the drum input port 221 or contacts the free end of the front cover 22 that forms the drum input port 221.

[0062] 1 shows an example in which the free end of the drum connecting body 123 contacts the free end of the front cover 22. In this case, a link-shaped damper 124 (connecting damper) is provided on the drum connecting body 123. The connecting damper 124 is a means for minimizing the risk of the drum inlet 221 being separated from the drum connecting body 123 (risk of air inside the drum leaking into the cabinet) when the drum 2 rotates or vibrates.

[0063] The connection damper 124 is made of a compressible material (a material whose volume can be increased or decreased by an external force). In this case, the connection damper 124 maintains a compressed state between the free end of the drum connection body 123 and the edge of the drum inlet 221 (the free end of the front cover). This can minimize the separation of the drum inlet 221 from the drum connection body 123 when the drum 2 vibrates between the support panel 12 and the fixed panel 15. One example of the connection damper 124 is felt made by compressing fibers.

[0064] The panel connecting body 126 is a pipe fixed to the front surface of the support panel 12 (the surface facing the front panel in the space provided by the support panel). One end of the panel connecting body 126 surrounds the support panel through hole 122, and the other end of the panel connecting body 126 is connected to the input port 111. Therefore, clothes supplied from the input port 111 move to the drum body 21 through the panel connecting body 126, the support panel through hole 122, the drum connecting body 123, and the drum input port 221.

[0065] Fixed panel 15 is fixed to cabinet 1 so as to be located at a distance from rear cover 23. As an example, Fig. 1 shows a case in which fixed panel 15 is fixed to base panel 17 to form the rear surface of dryer 100 (the rear surface of the cabinet).

[0066] 2, the fixed panel 15 is provided with a drive unit mounting groove 153 which provides a space for mounting the drive unit (D). The drive unit mounting groove 153 is a groove formed by bending the fixed panel 15 toward the rear cover 23 of the drum. The fixed panel 15 is provided with a fixed panel through hole 155 through which the rotation shaft of the drum 2 passes, and the fixed panel through hole 155 is located within the drive unit mounting groove 153.

[0067] The support panel 12 is provided with a drum exhaust port (first exhaust port) 128 penetrating the panel connecting body 126 , and the fixed panel 15 is provided with a panel exhaust port (second exhaust port) 157 and a supply port 158 ​​.

[0068] The supply port 158 ​​is provided by a number of supply holes penetrating the fixed panel 15 and arranged to surround the drive unit mounting groove 153 (the number of supply holes forms a link surrounding the drive unit mounting groove).

[0069] 1, the supply unit 3 includes an exhaust duct 31 connecting the first exhaust port 128 and the second exhaust port 157, a supply duct 32 directing air discharged to the second exhaust port 157 to the supply port 158, and a heat exchanger 34 provided in the exhaust duct to sequentially dehumidify and heat the air. The first exhaust port 128 is provided with a filter 129 for filtering the air moving from the drum 2 to the exhaust duct 31.

[0070] The exhaust duct 31 includes a first duct 311 connected to the first exhaust port 128, a second duct 312 connected to the second exhaust port 157, and a third duct 313 connecting the first duct 311 and the second duct 312. The third duct 313 is fixed to the base panel 17.

[0071] The exhaust duct 31 is provided with a fan 315 that moves the air inside the drum 2 to the second exhaust port 157, and FIG. 1 shows that the fan 315 is positioned between the heat exchange section 34 and the second duct 312.

[0072] The heat exchanger 34 is made up of various devices that sequentially dehumidify and heat the air that has flowed into the exhaust duct 31. As an example, FIG. 1 shows the heat exchanger 34 as a heat pump.

[0073] That is, the heat exchange section 34 in Figure 1 includes a first heat exchanger (heat absorption section) 341 that removes moisture from the air that flows into the exhaust duct 31, and a second heat exchanger (heat generation section) 343 that is provided in the exhaust duct 31 and heats the air that has passed through the heat absorption section 341.

[0074] The heat absorbing part 341 and the heat generating part 343 are arranged in order along the direction of air movement, and are connected to each other via a refrigerant pipe 349 that forms a circulation path for the refrigerant. The refrigerant moves along the refrigerant pipe 349 by a compressor 345 located outside the exhaust duct 31, and the refrigerant pipe 349 is provided with a pressure regulator 347 that adjusts the pressure of the refrigerant moving from the heat generating part 343 to the heat absorbing part 341.

[0075] The heat absorption section 341 is a means for cooling the air (evaporating the refrigerant) by transferring the heat of the air that has flowed into the exhaust duct 31 to the refrigerant, and the heat generation section 343 is a means for heating the air (condensing the refrigerant) by transferring the heat possessed by the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 345 to the air.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 2, the supply duct 32 is fixed to the fixed panel 15 and serves as a means for guiding the air discharged through the second exhaust port 157 to the supply port 158 ​​.

[0077] When the supply port 158 ​​is composed of a number of supply holes arranged in a ring shape, the supply duct 32 includes a duct body 321 fixed to the fixed panel 15 and forming a flow passage connecting the second exhaust port 157 and the supply port 158, and a rotor receiving portion 322 penetrating the duct body 321. The driving part (D) fixed to the driving part mounting groove 153 is exposed to the outside of the supply duct 32 through the rotor receiving portion 322.

[0078] The drum 2 is provided with an air inlet 233 penetrating the rear cover 23 so that air supplied into the cabinet 1 through the supply port 158 ​​can be supplied to the drum 2, and the fixed panel 15 is provided with a flow path forming portion 159 that guides the air discharged from the supply port 158 ​​to the air inlet 233.

[0079] The air inlet 233 is arranged such that a number of holes penetrating the rear cover 23 form a link surrounding the center of rotation of the drum 2. One end of the flow path forming part 159 (the end fixed to the fixed panel) surrounds the supply port 158, and the other end (the end in contact with the drum) consists of a pipe surrounding the air inlet. In order to minimize the transmission of vibrations generated when the drum 2 rotates to the fixed panel 15, the flow path forming part 159 is made of a material having high elasticity (such as rubber).

[0080] The driving unit (D) includes a motor 5 fixed to a driving unit mounting groove 153 , and a power transmission unit 6 that transmits the power generated by the motor to the drum 2 .

[0081] In order to minimize deformation of the fixed panel 15 due to the weight of the driving unit (D) and external forces generated when the driving unit (D) is in operation, the driving unit mounting groove 153 is provided with a driving unit bracket 4 that provides a space in which the motor 5 is fixed. The driving unit bracket 4 is made of a link-shaped metal (metal having a strength greater than that of the fixed panel) that is fixed to the driving unit mounting groove 153.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 2, the motor 5 includes a stator 51 that is fixed to the drive unit bracket 4 and forms a rotating field, and a rotor 52 that rotates due to the rotating field.

[0083] The stator 51 includes a core 511 fixed to the drive unit bracket 4, a core through-hole 512 penetrating the core 511, and electromagnets 513 arranged at equal intervals on the peripheral surface of the core 511.

[0084] The rotor 52 includes a disk-shaped rotor body 52a, a pipe-shaped rotor edge 52b fixed to the rotor body 52a, and a number of permanent magnets 525 fixed to the rotor edge 52b. The permanent magnets 525 are fixed to the rotor edge 52b so that the north and south poles are exposed alternately.

[0085] The power transmission unit 6 is for decelerating or accelerating the rotational force of the motor 5 and transmitting it to the drum 2. Hereinafter, the power transmission unit 6 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0086] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the power transmission unit 6 in one embodiment of the present invention is in the form of a hollow box, and includes a housing 60a fixed to the fixed panel 15, a first shaft 63a having one end connected to the rotor body 52a and the other end located within the housing 60a and on which a main gear 631a is formed, a plurality of interlocking gears 64a that mesh with the main gear 631a of the first shaft 63a and are rotatably located within the housing 60a, and a driven gear 65a including a second shaft 652a that meshes with the interlocking gear and is connected to the rear cover 23.

[0087] The first shaft 63a is for transmitting the rotational force of the rotor 52 to the interlocking gear 64a. The first shaft 63a is provided with a main driving gear 631a located inside the housing 60a. The first shaft 63a extends from the main driving gear 631a to the outside of the housing 60a and is connected to the rotor body 52a.

[0088] If the first shaft 63a is directly connected to the rotor body 52a, deformation may occur between the first shaft 63a and the rotor body 52a, but in order to prevent deformation of the rotor body 52a, the first shaft 63a is fixed to the rotor body 52a via a fixing plate 524. By fixing the fixing plate 524 to the rotor body 52a, the strength of the rotor body 52a can be reinforced.

[0089] A driving gear shaft 632a is formed at an end of the driving gear 631a to be inserted into a first shaft hole 653a of the driven gear 65a. The driving gear shaft 632a and the first shaft hole 653a are formed so that the rotation center of the first shaft 63a and the rotation center of the driven gear 65a coincide with each other. That is, the driving gear 631a of the first shaft 63a and the second shaft 652a of the driven gear 65a rotate on the same rotation axis.

[0090] The driven gear 65a includes a driven gear body 651a that meshes with the interlocking gear 64a, a first shaft hole 653a formed at the center of the rotation axis of the driven gear body 651a so that the main gear shaft 632a of the first shaft 63a is inserted therein, and a first shaft hole bearing 654a provided in the first shaft hole 653a to rotatably support the main gear shaft 632a.

[0091] The first shaft 63a and the driven gear 65a are coaxially coupled to each other so that they can rotate together by inserting the driving gear shaft 632a into the first shaft hole 653a. This coaxial coupling of the first shaft 63a and the driven gear 65a can prevent eccentricity during rotation of the first shaft 63a and the driven gear 65a.

[0092] The second shaft 652a is for transmitting the rotational force of the interlocking gear 64a to the drum 2. The second shaft 652a is provided in the housing 60a and extends from a driven gear 65a that receives power from the interlocking gear 64a. That is, the second shaft 652a extends in the outer direction of the housing 60a (i.e., in the direction of the drum 2) with the rotation axis of the driven gear 65a as the center.

[0093] The second shaft 652a is formed integrally with the driven gear 65a. It is preferable that the second shaft 652a and the first shaft 63a are concentric. When the second shaft 652a and the first shaft 63a are concentric, vibrations generated in the power transmission unit 6 when the drum 2 rotates can be minimized.

[0094] The housing 60a is preferably fixed to the fixed panel 15 and positioned in the core through hole 512. By minimizing the volume of the housing 60a, the volume of the driving section (D) can be minimized.

[0095] The housing 60a includes a box-like first housing 61a having an open surface facing the fixed panel 15, and a second housing 62a that closes the open surface of the first housing 61a.

[0096] The first housing 61a is provided with a first shaft support portion 611a and a first shaft through hole 612a that penetrates the first shaft support portion 611a. The first shaft 63a penetrates the first housing 61a by being inserted into the first shaft through hole 612a, and the first shaft support portion 611a is provided with a first bearing 613a that rotatably fixes the first shaft 63a to the first housing 61a.

[0097] The first shaft support portion 611a has a boss shape protruding from the first housing 61a toward the rotor body 52a, or has a boss shape protruding from the first housing 61a toward the second housing 62a.

[0098] When the first shaft support portion 611a is in the form of a boss protruding from the first housing 61a toward the second housing 62a (protruding from the first housing 61a toward the center of the housing 60a), it has the effect of minimizing the volume of the housing 60a (it is possible to minimize the volume of the drive unit (D) and the volume of the dryer).

[0099] The second housing 62a is provided with a second shaft support portion 621a and a second shaft through hole 622a penetrating the second shaft support portion 621a. The second shaft 652a penetrates the second housing 62a through the second shaft through hole 622a, and the second shaft support portion 621a is provided with a second bearing 623a that rotatably fixes the second shaft 652a to the second housing 62a. The second shaft 652a is rotatably supported by the second bearing 623a, and thus the driven gear 65a is rotatably supported inside the housing 60a.

[0100] The second shaft support portion 621a has a boss shape that protrudes from the second housing 62a toward the fixed panel through-hole 155 (protruding toward the rear cover 23 of the drum 2).

[0101] The pair of first bearings 613a are arranged in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first shaft 63a in the first shaft support portion 611a. The pair of second bearings 623a are arranged in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second shaft 652a in the second shaft support portion 621a.

[0102] When the first bearing 613a and the second bearing 623a each include two or more bearings, it has the effect of minimizing eccentricity of the first shaft 63a and the second shaft 652a during rotation of the rotor 52. That is, when the first bearing 613a and the second bearing 623a include a plurality of bearings, it is possible to minimize eccentricity occurring during rotation of the first shaft 63a and the second shaft 652a.

[0103] If the volume of the driving part (D) is large, it is not easy to increase the number of bearings. However, the dryer 100 can minimize the volume of the driving part by a structure in which the housing 60a is positioned in the core through hole 512 of the stator 51 and a boss structure in which the first shaft support part 611a protrudes toward the center of the housing 60a, and the like, and therefore the numbers of the first bearings 613a and the second bearings 623a can be increased.

[0104] In order to minimize the volume of the housing 60a, the diameters of the first housing 61a and the second housing 62a are set to be different from each other. That is, the diameter of the first housing 61a is set to be smaller than the diameter of the second housing 62a or set to be larger than the diameter of the second housing 62a. In order to minimize the volume of the housing 60a, the outer shapes of the first housing 61a and the second housing 62a are formed into a cylindrical shape corresponding to the core through hole 512.

[0105] Alternatively, the outer shapes of the first housing 61a and the second housing 62a may be formed to correspond to the outer shape of the interlocking gears 64a depending on the number of interlocking gears 64a provided in the housing 60a.

[0106] Specifically, the interlocking gears 64a are arranged around a first shaft 63a and a second shaft 652a that is coaxial with the first shaft 63a. When the interlocking gears 64a are three or more, the outer surface formed by the interlocking gears 64a is formed in a polygonal shape. Therefore, the housing 60a formed by the first housing 61a and the second housing 62a is formed in a triangular shape when there are three interlocking gears 64a, and in a rectangular shape when there are four interlocking gears 64a.

[0107] The housing 60a is fixed by a drive unit bracket 4 which is fastened to a drive unit mounting hole 153 of the fixed panel 15. The outer peripheral surface of the drive unit bracket 4 is formed to correspond to the drive unit mounting hole 153, and the inner peripheral surface is formed to correspond to the outer shape of the housing 60a.

[0108] The interlocking gears 64a are rotatably supported by a connecting shaft 625a located between the first housing 61a and the second housing 62a. The number of connecting shafts 625a corresponds to the number of the interlocking gears 64a.

[0109] In the power transmission unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, as an example, the interlocking gear 64a and the connecting shaft 625a are configured as three gears and shafts spaced apart from each other by 120°.

[0110] Each interlocking gear 64a includes a first body 641a rotatably fastened to the connecting shaft 625a by the connecting shaft 625a, a first gear 642a provided on the circumferential surface of the first body 641a and meshing with the driving gear 631a of the first shaft 63a, a second body 643a fixed to the first body 641a and having a diameter smaller than that of the first body 641a, and a second gear 644a provided on the circumferential surface of the second body 643a and coupled to a driven gear 65a having a second shaft 652a.

[0111] A first connecting shaft hole (not shown) and a second connecting shaft hole 624a for fixing the connecting shaft 625a are formed at opposing positions on the inside of the first housing 61a and the second housing 62a. Bearings (not shown) for rotatably supporting the connecting shaft 625a are provided in the first connecting shaft hole and the second connecting shaft hole 624a.

[0112] The second shaft 652a provided on the driven gear 65a is inserted into the fixed panel through hole 155 to connect the rear cover 23 of the drum 2. In order to prevent the rear cover 23 from being damaged due to the rotation of the second shaft 652a, the rear cover 23 is provided with another shaft bracket (not shown) to which one end of the second shaft 652a is fixed.

[0113] 4, the driving gear 631a of the first shaft 63a is located in the space formed between the first gears 642a. Also, the free end of the first shaft support part 611a is inserted into the first shaft through hole 612a formed in the center of the first housing 61a and penetrates the housing 60a. This structure (the structure of the first shaft support part 611a and the first housing 61a) can minimize the volume of the housing 60a.

[0114] In order to seal the fixed panel through-hole 155 (to prevent the air supplied to the drum 2 from being exposed to the outside of the cabinet 1), the driver bracket 4 or the fixed panel 15 is further provided with a sealing portion 41. When the driver bracket 4 is formed in a link shape surrounding the fixed panel through-hole 155, the link-shaped core 511 is fixed to the driver bracket 4, and the housing 60a is positioned in the core through-hole 512, the sealing portion 41 seals the space formed between the driver bracket 4 and the second housing 62a.

[0115] The operation of the driving part (D) having the above-mentioned structure is as follows: As shown in Fig. 6, when the rotor 52 rotates clockwise, the first shaft 63a and the main driving gear 631a also rotate clockwise.

[0116] When the main gear 631a rotates clockwise, the interlocking gear 64a rotates counterclockwise by the first gear 642a. When the first gear 642a rotates counterclockwise, the second gear 644a also rotates counterclockwise.

[0117] Here, since the interlocking gear 64a is rotatably supported within the housing 60a, when the second gear 644a rotates counterclockwise, the driven gear 65a rotates clockwise.

[0118] Since the drum 2 and the driven gear 65a are connected by the second shaft 652a, the drum 2 rotates in the same direction as the rotor 52.

[0119] As shown, the diameter of the first gear 642a is set to be larger than the diameter of the driving gear 631a, and the diameter of the second gear 644a is set to be smaller than the diameter of the first gear 642a.

[0120] When the first gear 642a, the second gear 644a and the main driving gear 631a are formed as described above, the driving part (D) rotates the drum 2 at a rotation speed lower than the rotation speed of the rotor 52. That is, the driving part (D) also serves as a reducer.

[0121] The interlocking gear 64a having the first gear 642a and the second gear 644a as described above, the driving gear 631a meshing with the first gear 642a, and the driven gear 65a meshing with the second gear 644a are arranged parallel to the first gear 642a and the second gear 644a of the interlocking gear 64a, respectively, to minimize the installation volume of the driving gear 631a, the interlocking gear 64a, and the driven gear 65a within the housing 60a.

[0122] In addition, the first shaft 63a and the second shaft 652a are coaxially connected with each other when the first gear 642a and the second gear 644a of the interlocking gear 64a are engaged with the first shaft driving gear 631a and the second shaft 652a, respectively, thereby preventing eccentricity from occurring between the first shaft 63a and the driven gear 65a when the rotation of the first shaft 63a is transmitted from the interlocking gear 64a to the driven gear 65a.

[0123] Hereinafter, a power transmission unit according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0124] As shown in Figures 7 to 10, the power transmission unit 6 according to another embodiment of the present invention is a hollow box-like structure and includes a housing 60b fixed to the fixed panel 15, a first shaft 63b having one end connected to the rotor body 52a and the other end located within the housing 60b and on which a main gear 631b is formed, a plurality of interlocking gears 64b that mesh with the main gear 631b of the first shaft 63b and are rotatably located within the housing 60b, a driven gear 65b including a second shaft 652b that meshes with the interlocking gears and is connected to the rear cover 23, and a carrier 67b that rotatably supports the first shaft 63b, the interlocking gear 64b, and the driven gear 65b and is fixed to the housing 60b.

[0125] The housing 60b is preferably fixed to the fixed panel 15 and positioned in the core through hole 512. By minimizing the volume of the housing 60b, the volume of the driving section (D) can be minimized.

[0126] The housing 60b includes a box-like first housing 61b with an open face facing the fixed panel 15, and a second housing 62b that closes the open face of the first housing 61b.

[0127] The first housing 61b has a first shaft through hole 612b through which the first shaft 63b penetrates and is exposed. The first shaft 63b penetrates the first housing 61b by being inserted into the first shaft through hole 612b, and is connected to the rotor body 52a.

[0128] The second housing 62b has a second shaft through-hole 622b through which the second shaft 652b penetrates and is exposed. The second shaft 652b penetrates the second housing 62b by being inserted into the second shaft through-hole 622b, and is connected to the rear cover 23 of the drum.

[0129] The housing 60b is fixed by a drive unit bracket 4 fastened to a drive unit mounting hole 155 of the fixed panel 15. The outer peripheral surface of the drive unit bracket 4 is formed to correspond to the drive unit mounting hole 155, and the inner peripheral surface is formed to correspond to the outer shape of the housing 60b.

[0130] The outer shapes of the first housing 61b and the second housing 62b may be formed corresponding to the outer shape of the interlocking gears 64b depending on the number of interlocking gears 64b provided in the housing 60b.

[0131] Specifically, the interlocking gears 64b are formed around a first shaft 63b and a second shaft 652b that is coaxial with the first shaft 63b. When the interlocking gears 64b are three or more, the outer surface formed by the interlocking gears 64b is formed in a polygonal shape. Therefore, the housing 60b formed by the first housing 61b and the second housing 62b is formed in a triangular shape when there are three interlocking gears 64b, and in a rectangular shape when there are four interlocking gears 64b.

[0132] Between the first housing 61b and the carrier 67b, and between the second housing 62b and the carrier 67b, there are provided link-shaped first carrier dampers 613b and second carrier dampers 623b to prevent vibrations and noise generated when the first shaft 63b, interlocking gear 64b, and driven gear 65b in the carrier 67b are driven, from being transmitted to the first housing 61b and the second housing 62b.

[0133] The carrier 67b rotatably supports the first shaft 63b, the interlocking gear 64b, and the driven gear 65b, and is used to fasten them to the housing 60b.

[0134] The carrier 67b is for fixing the first shaft 63b, the interlocking gear 64b, and the driven gear 65b to the housing 60b while preventing eccentricity between the first shaft 63b and the driven gear 65b provided with the second shaft 652b by separately fastening them together. The carrier 67b improves the assembly of the power transmission unit 6 and prevents eccentricity between the first shaft 63b, the interlocking gear 64b, and the driven gear 65b.

[0135] The carrier 67b includes a carrier cover 671b positioned toward the inner surface of the first housing 61b and rotatably supporting the first shaft 63b, and a carrier base 676b positioned toward the inner surface of the second housing 62b and rotatably supporting the second shaft 652b.

[0136] An interlocking gear 64b is rotatably provided between the carrier cover 671b and the carrier base 676b. A plurality of connecting shafts 675b into which the interlocking gears 64b are rotatably inserted are provided on the carrier cover 671b. A plurality of connecting shaft grooves 675b into which the connecting shafts 675b are inserted are formed on the carrier base 676b.

[0137] The carrier cover 671b is provided with a first shaft support portion 673b and a first shaft support hole 672b penetrating the first shaft support portion 673b. The first shaft 63b penetrates the carrier cover 671b by being inserted into the first shaft through hole 612b, and the first shaft support portion 673b is provided with a first bearing 674b that rotatably fixes the first shaft 63b to the carrier cover 671b.

[0138] The first shaft support portion 673b is in the form of a boss protruding from the carrier cover 671b towards the carrier cover 671b, and may be in the form of a boss protruding from the carrier cover 671b towards the carrier base 676b.

[0139] If the first shaft support portion 673b is a boss protruding from the carrier cover 671b toward the carrier base 676b, this has the effect of minimizing the volume of the carrier 67b.

[0140] The carrier base 676b is provided with a second shaft support portion 677b and a second shaft support hole 678b penetrating the second shaft support portion 677b. The second shaft 652b penetrates the carrier base 676b through the second shaft support hole 678b, and the second shaft support portion 677b is provided with a second bearing 679b for rotatably fixing the second shaft 652b to the carrier base 676b.

[0141] The second shaft support portion 677b is a boss protruding from the carrier base 676b toward the second housing 62b, or has a boss shape protruding from the carrier base toward the carrier cover 671b.

[0142] The pair of first bearings 674b are disposed in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first shaft 63b in the first shaft support portion 673b. The pair of second bearings 679b are disposed in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second shaft 652b in the second shaft support portion 677b.

[0143] When the first bearing 674b and the second bearing 679b each include two or more bearings, it is possible to minimize eccentricity of the first shaft 63b and the second shaft 652b during rotation of the rotor 52. That is, when the first bearing 674b and the second bearing 679b each include a plurality of bearings, it is possible to minimize eccentricity of the first shaft 63b and the second shaft 652b during rotation.

[0144] The first shaft 63b is for transmitting the rotational force of the rotor 52 to the interlocking gear 64b. The first shaft 63b includes a driving gear 631b located inside the carrier 67b. The first shaft 63b extends from the driving gear 631b located inside the carrier 67b, is rotatably supported by a first shaft support portion 673b of the carrier cover 671b, passes through a first shaft through hole 612b, extends to the outside of the housing 60b, and is connected to the rotor body 52a.

[0145] If the first shaft 63b is directly connected to the rotor body 52a, deformation may occur between the first shaft 63b and the rotor body 52a, but in order to prevent deformation of the rotor body 52a, the first shaft 63b is fixed to the rotor body 52a via a fixing plate 524. By fixing the fixing plate 524 to the rotor body 52a, the strength of the rotor body 52a can be reinforced.

[0146] A driving gear shaft 632b is formed at an end of the driving gear 631b, which is inserted into a first shaft hole 653b of the driven gear 65b. The driving gear shaft 632b and the first shaft hole 653b are formed so that the rotation center of the first shaft 63b and the rotation center of the driven gear 65b coincide with each other. That is, the driving gear 631b of the first shaft 63b and the second shaft 652b of the driven gear 65b rotate on the same rotation axis.

[0147] The driven gear 65b includes a driven gear body 651b that meshes with the interlocking gear 64b, a first shaft hole 653b formed at the center of the rotation axis of the driven gear body 651b so that the driving gear shaft 632b of the first shaft 63b can be inserted, and a first shaft hole bearing 654b provided in the first shaft hole 653b to rotatably support the driving gear shaft 632b.

[0148] The first shaft 63b and the driven gear 65b are rotatably coupled together in a coaxial state by inserting the driving gear shaft 632b into the first shaft hole 653b. The coaxial coupling of the first shaft 63b and the driven gear 65b can prevent eccentricity during rotation of the first shaft 63b and the driven gear 65b.

[0149] The second shaft 652b is for transmitting the rotational force of the interlocking gear 64b to the drum 2. The second shaft 652b is provided in the carrier 67b, and extends from a driven gear 65b that receives power from the interlocking gear 64b. That is, the second shaft 652b is rotatably supported by a second shaft support portion 677b of the carrier base 676b, and extends to the outside of the housing 60b through the second shaft through-hole 622b.

[0150] It is preferable that the second shaft 652b and the first shaft 63b are concentric with each other. When the second shaft 652b and the first shaft 63b are concentric with each other, vibrations generated in the power transmission unit 6 when the drum 2 rotates can be minimized.

[0151] The second shaft 652b extends toward the outside of the carrier 67b (that is, toward the drum 2) with the rotation axis of the driven gear 65b as its center. The second shaft 652b is formed integrally with the driven gear 65b.

[0152] The second shaft 652b extends from a driven gear 65b located within the carrier 67b and is rotatably supported by a second shaft support portion 677b of the carrier base 676b. The second shaft 652b passes through a second shaft through-hole 622b and extends to the outside of the housing and is connected to the rear cover 23.

[0153] The interlocking gears 64b are provided between a carrier cover 671b and a carrier base 676b so as to be rotatable by a connecting shaft 675b provided on the carrier 67b. The connecting shafts 675b are provided in a number corresponding to the number of the interlocking gears 64b.

[0154] In the power transmission unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, as an example, the interlocking gear 64b and the connecting shaft 675b are composed of three gears and shafts spaced apart from each other by 120°.

[0155] The carrier cover 671b is provided with a number of connecting shafts 675b extending toward the carrier base 676b. The carrier base 676b is provided with connecting shaft grooves 675b into which the connecting shafts 675b are inserted. A bearing (not shown) for rotatably supporting the interlocking gear 64b is provided between the connecting shafts 675b and the interlocking gear 64b.

[0156] Each interlocking gear 64b includes a first body 641b rotatably fastened to a connecting shaft 675b via a connecting shaft 675b, a first gear 642b provided on the circumferential surface of the first body 641b and meshing with a driving gear 631b of the first shaft 63b, a second body 643b fixed to the first body 641b and having a diameter smaller than that of the first body 641b, and a second gear 644b provided on the circumferential surface of the second body 643b and coupled to a driven gear 65b having a second shaft 652b.

[0157] The second shaft 652b of the driven gear 65b is inserted into the fixed panel through hole 155 to connect the rear cover 23 of the drum 2. In order to prevent the rear cover 23 from being damaged due to the rotation of the second shaft 652b, the rear cover 23 is provided with a shaft bracket (not shown) to which one end of the second shaft 652b is fixed.

[0158] 9 and 10, the driving gear 631b of the first shaft 63b is located in the space formed between the first gears 642b. Also, the free end of the first shaft support part 673b is inserted into the first shaft support hole 672b formed in the center of the carrier cover 671b and passes through the first shaft through hole 612b of the housing 60b. This structure allows the volume of the carrier 67b and the housing 60b to be minimized.

[0159] In order to seal the fixed panel through-hole 155 (to prevent the air supplied to the drum 2 from leaking outside the cabinet 1), the driver bracket 4 or the fixed panel 15 is further provided with a sealing portion 41. When the driver bracket 4 is formed in a link shape surrounding the fixed panel through-hole 155, the ring-shaped core 511 is fixed to the driver bracket 4, and the housing 60b is positioned in the core through-hole 512, the sealing portion 41 seals the space formed between the driver bracket 4 and the second housing 62b.

[0160] The operation of the driving part (D) having the above-mentioned structure is as follows: As shown in Fig. 10, when the rotor 52 rotates clockwise, the first shaft 63b and the main driving gear 631b also rotate clockwise.

[0161] When the main gear 631b rotates clockwise, the interlocking gear 64b rotates counterclockwise by the first gear 642b. When the first gear 642b rotates counterclockwise, the second gear 644b also rotates counterclockwise.

[0162] Here, since the interlocking gear 64b is rotatably supported within the housing 60b, when the second gear 644b rotates counterclockwise, the driven gear 65b rotates clockwise.

[0163] Since the drum 2 and the driven gear 65b are connected by the second shaft 652b, the drum 2 rotates in the same direction as the rotor 52.

[0164] As shown, the diameter of the first gear 642b is set to be larger than the diameter of the driving gear 631b, and the diameter of the second gear 644b is set to be smaller than the diameter of the first gear 642b.

[0165] When the first gear 642b, the second gear 644b and the main driving gear 631b are formed as described above, the driving part (D) rotates the drum 2 at a rotation speed lower than the rotation speed of the rotor 52. That is, the driving part (D) also serves as a reducer.

[0166] As described above, in the power transmission unit 6 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the interlocking gear 64b having the first gear 642b and the second gear 644b, the driving gear 631b meshing with the first gear 642b, and the driven gear 65b meshing with the second gear 644b are arranged parallel to the first gear 642b and the second gear 644b of the interlocking gear 64b, respectively, thereby minimizing the installation volume of the driving gear 631b, the interlocking gear 64b, and the driven gear 65b within the housing 60b.

[0167] In addition, the first shaft 63b and the second shaft 652b are coaxially coupled within the carrier 67b while the driven gear 65b, which is formed by the first shaft driving gear 631b and the second shaft 652b, respectively meshes with the first gear 642b and the second gear 644b of the interlocking gear 64b, thereby preventing eccentricity from occurring between the first shaft 63b and the driven gear 65b when the rotation of the first shaft 63b is transmitted from the interlocking gear 64b to the driven gear 65b.

[0168] In addition, the first shaft 63b having the driving gear 631b, the interlocking gear 64b, and the driven gear 65b having the second shaft 652b are assembled in a carrier 67b and fastened into the housing 60b, and the housing 60b is fixed to the fixed panel 15 by the driving unit bracket 4, thereby simplifying the assembly process of the driving unit (D).

[0169] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the drive unit bracket 4 is fastened to the drive unit mounting groove 153 to minimize deformation of the fixed panel 15 due to the weight of the drive unit (D) and external forces generated when the drive unit (D) is operated.

[0170] The motor 5 fixed to the drive bracket 4 and the power transmission unit 4 are fastened to the drive unit (D) with a coaxial rotation axis. That is, the power transmission unit 6 is fastened to the center of the drive bracket 4, and the outer periphery of the stator 51 is fastened to the outer periphery of the drive bracket 4 by a separate fastening member (not shown).

[0171] The drive unit bracket has a motor fastening hole 421 that is fastened to the stator 51 via the fixing panel 15, a link-shaped ring portion 42 that forms the installation space for the housings 60a, 60b in the center, and a housing fastening portion 43 that protrudes from the inner surface of the ring portion 42 and to which the housings 60a, 60b are fixed.

[0172] In order to form a fastening tolerance with the stator 51, the motor fastening hole 421 is further formed with a protrusion 422 that protrudes from the rear of the fixing panel 15 toward the stator 51. The motor fastening hole 421 is formed in the protrusion 422. Therefore, the driver bracket 4 and the stator 51 are fastened to the fixing panel 15 in the order of the protrusion 422-driver mounting groove 155-stator 51.

[0173] Housing fixing protrusions 68a corresponding to the housing fastening portion 43 are protruded from the outer surfaces of the housings 60a, 60b of the power transmission unit 6. The housing fixing protrusions 68a are formed at the same radius as the rotation axis of the second shafts 652a, 652b of the housings 60a, 60b. The housing fixing protrusions 68a are formed with housing fixing holes 69a into which a separate fastening member (not shown) is inserted.

[0174] The housing fastening portions 43 and the housing fixing protrusions 68a each include a plurality of corresponding housing fastening portions 43 and housing fixing protrusions 68a, and each housing fastening portion 43 and housing fixing protrusions 68a include at least three pairs.

[0175] The motor fastening hole 421 and the housing fastening portion 43 are both disposed at the same radius around the rotation axis of the second shaft of the housings 60a, 60b. Therefore, the stator 51 of the motor 5 fastened to the motor fastening hole 421 and the second shafts 652a, 652b of the housings 60a, 60b fastened to the housing fastening portion 43 are fastened to the drive unit bracket 4 to have the same central axis.

[0176] The housing fastening portion 43 is provided with a housing fastening protrusion 431 protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the ring portion 42, and a locking protrusion 433 bent from the housing fastening protrusion 431 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the housings 60a, 60b.

[0177] The front surface of the second housing 60a, 60b is attached to the housing fastening portion 43, and a housing fastening hole 432 corresponding to the housing fastening hole 69a of the housing fastening protrusion 68a is formed in the housing fastening portion 43. A separate fastening member is inserted into the housing fastening hole 432 and the housing fastening hole 69a to be fixed.

[0178] The locking protrusion 433 has a locking groove 434 into which the housing fixing protrusion 68a is inserted. The locking groove 434 is formed in the lateral direction of the locking protrusion 433, and after the housings 60a, 60b are attached to the drive unit bracket 4, the housings 60a, 60b are rotated about the center of the housings 60a, 60b, so that the housing fixing protrusion 68a is inserted into the locking groove 434.

[0179] The housing fixing protrusion 68a has a housing fixing groove 69b formed at a position corresponding to the locking groove 434. The housing fixing groove 69b is inserted in a direction intersecting the locking groove 434, whereby the housings 60a, 60b are fixed to the drive unit bracket 4.

[0180] The housing fixing groove 69b is formed in the form of an inclined surface with an enlarged entrance side. The housing fixing groove 69b is inserted across the locking groove 434 and moves from the entrance of the housing fixing groove 69b to the inside of the housing fixing groove 69b, whereby the housings 60a, 60b are moved to the center of the driver bracket 4 and fixed.

[0181] Fastening to the drive unit mounting hole 155 of the drive unit bracket 4 reinforces the strength of the fixed panel 15. At the same time, when the housings 60a, 60b are fastened to the drive unit bracket 4, the installation positions of the housings 60a, 60b can be corrected to the center of the drive unit bracket 4. Fastening the stator 51 of the motor 5 and the housings 60a, 60b of the power transmission unit 6 to the drive unit bracket 4 also allows the rotation axes of the motor 5 and the power transmission unit 6 to be coaxially aligned.

[0182] A number of ring-shaped supply holes 158a, 158b are provided in the rear cover 23 of the drum 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 13, the dryer 100 further includes a flow path guide 324 for uniformly supplying the air discharged from the second exhaust port 157 to the supply holes 158a, 158b.

[0183] Since air moves in the direction of smaller flow resistance, in the case of a dryer 100 not equipped with a flow path guide 324, the amount of air flowing into the duct body 321 through the second exhaust port 157 that moves inside the duct body 321 in the clockwise direction differs from the amount of air that moves inside the duct body 321 in the counterclockwise direction.

[0184] For example, when the amount of air moving inside duct body 321 in the clockwise direction is greater than the amount of air moving inside duct body 321 in the clockwise direction, a large amount of air is supplied to supply hole 158a located to the left of reference line (L), but a small amount of air is supplied to supply hole 158b located to the right of reference line (L).

[0185] Such an imbalance in the amount of air supplied causes an imbalance in the amount of air supplied to the clothes inside the drum 2. In other words, the phenomenon in which the amount of air supplied varies depending on the position of the clothes causes problems such as longer drying time and some clothes being over-dried while others are not dried.

[0186] The flow path guide 324 can solve the above problem by maintaining the amount of air moving inside the duct body 321 in the clockwise direction similar or equal to the amount of air moving inside the duct body in the counterclockwise direction. That is, the air flowing into the duct body 321 by the flow path guide 324 moves partly to the supply hole 158a located on the left side of the flow path guide 324, and the remaining part moves to the supply hole 158b located on the right side of the flow path guide 324.

[0187] In dryer 100 having the above-described structure, duct body 321 surrounds motor 5 (the motor is located inside the rotor housing), so there is a possibility that motor 5 may overheat.

[0188] For effective cooling of the motor 5 (specifically for cooling of the stator 51 ), the dryer 100 is further provided with a cooling channel 35 .

[0189] 13 and 14 show a cooling channel 35 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figures, the cooling channel 35 according to the embodiment cools the motor 5 by circulating the air in the cabinet 1 in contact with the motor 5.

[0190] The cooling passage 35 includes a first cooling hole 236 that penetrates the inside of the cabinet 1 at the bottom of the rear cover 23, a second cooling hole 237 that penetrates the inside of the cabinet 1 at the top of the rear cover 23, and a duct cover 36 that is fixed to the outside of the duct body 321 and connects the first cooling hole 236, the second cooling hole 237 and the rotor accommodating portion 322.

[0191] The first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237 penetrate the rear cover 23 to circulate the air in the rotor accommodating portion 322 and the air in the cabinet 1 to cool the motor 5 in the rotor accommodating portion 322 .

[0192] The duct cover 36 includes a cover plate 361a that covers the rotor accommodating portion 322, a first cooling duct 362a that extends to the first cooling hole 236 at the lower part of the cover plate 361a, and a second cooling duct 363a that extends to the second cooling hole 237 at the upper part of the cover plate 361a.

[0193] That is, the duct cover 36 is fastened to the outside of the duct body 321 to form a flow path through which the air inside the cabinet 1 moves to the first cooling hole 236 , the rotor receiving portion 322 and the first cooling hole 236 .

[0194] The air inside the cabinet 1 is cooled relatively lower than the air drying the clothes inside the drum 2 by using the heat exchanger 34 and the supply duct 32, and the air inside the cabinet 1 moves to the rotor accommodating section 322 through the cooling passage 35 to cool the motor 5.

[0195] In addition, the base panel 17 is provided with another exhaust fan (not shown) for discharging the air inside the cabinet 1 to the outside of the cabinet 1 in order to cool the heat generated by the compressor 345. Since the heated high-temperature air inside the cabinet 1 is discharged to the outside of the cabinet 1 by the exhaust fan, the air inside the cabinet 1 is formed to be relatively cooler than the air inside the heat exchange section 34, the supply duct 32, and the drum 2.

[0196] In order to facilitate the air flowing in from the first cooling duct 362a to be discharged through the second cooling duct 363a and to effectively cool the motor 5, the rotor 52 is further provided with a number of vanes 523.

[0197] The blade 523 is made of a board protruding from the rotor body 52a toward the duct cover 36. The blade 523 may be made of one board or multiple boards. In either case, the blade 523 is preferably provided parallel to the diameter direction of the rotor body 52a.

[0198] If the blades 523 are made of plates parallel to the diameter direction of the rotor body 52a, they can function as an impeller that forcibly moves the air in the rotor housing part 322 when the rotor 52 rotates.

[0199] The rotor 52 further includes rotor through-holes 521 penetrating the rotor body 52a so that heat generated in the stator 51 can be more effectively discharged to the rotor receiving part 322. The rotor through-holes 521 are arranged such that a number of holes form a link surrounding the first shafts 63a and 63b.

[0200] The rotor through-hole 521 is a slit whose length in the diameter direction of the rotor body 52a is set longer than its length in the circumferential direction of the rotor body 52a. In this case, the blades 523 are fixed to the edge of the rotor through-hole 521 parallel to the diameter direction of the rotor body 52a.

[0201] In order to more effectively cool the motor 5, the first cooling duct 362a, the rotation center of the rotor 52, and the second cooling duct 353 are arranged in a direction extending on a straight line.

[0202] Therefore, when the rotor 52 rotates, outside air flows into the rotor accommodating portion 322 through the first cooling hole 236 and the first cooling duct 362a, and the air that flows into the rotor accommodating portion 322 cools the motor 5 and is then discharged to the outside of the rotor accommodating portion 322 through the second cooling duct 363a and the second cooling hole 237.

[0203] 15 and 16 show a cooling channel 35 according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figures, the cooling channel 35 according to the other embodiment cools the motor 5 by forming a cooling channel 35 in a certain portion of the fixing panel.

[0204] The duct cover 36 is formed in a box shape with an open surface facing the supply duct 32 so as to cover the entire supply duct 32. In the case of the supply duct 32, it is formed in a link shape according to the arrangement of the supply port 158 ​​of the fixed panel 15, and the duct cover 36 is formed in a square shape to cover the outer periphery of the supply duct 32.

[0205] When the duct cover 36 covers the supply duct 32, a space is formed between the outer surface of the supply duct 32 and the inner corners of the duct cover 36, and a first cooling hole 236 and a second cooling hole 237 are formed in the fixed panel 15 corresponding to the positions of the inner corners of the duct cover 36.

[0206] The duct cover 36 includes a cover plate 361b having an area larger than the area formed by the supply duct 32, the first cooling hole 236, and the second cooling hole 237, and a cover side wall 362b fixed to the fixed panel 15 on the outer circumferential surface of the cover plate 361b and higher than the supply duct 32.

[0207] The first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237 are connected to each other by the cover plate 361b and the cover side wall 362b, and the motor 5 provided in the rotor accommodating portion 322 is cooled by air passing through the first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237.

[0208] The first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237 act as passages through which air moves within the cabinet 1. The first cooling hole 236 is formed on the lower side of the fixed panel 15, and the second cooling hole 237 is formed on the upper side of the fixed panel 15. The first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237 allow the air within the cabinet 1 to flow into the inside of the duct cover 36. The first cooling hole 236 and the second cooling hole 237 may be formed at corners opposite to the center of the supply duct 32.

[0209] In order to allow the air flowing in through the first cooling hole 236 to be discharged through the second cooling hole 237 more easily and to effectively cool the motor 5, the rotor 52 is further provided with a number of vanes 523 which act as an impeller when the rotor 52 rotates, and rotor through holes 521 which penetrate the rotor body 52a. The vanes 523 and the rotor through holes 521 have been described in the first embodiment, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0210] Either the first cooling hole 236 or the second cooling hole 237 is further provided with a circulation fan (not shown) to forcibly circulate the air inside the cabinet 1 inside the duct cover 36. When a circulation fan is provided, the motor 5 can be cooled more effectively.

[0211] Although the above-mentioned dryer 100 has been described based on the case where it is equipped with a circulating drying system, the dryer 100 can also be applied to an exhaust-type drying system. The circulating drying system refers to a drying method in which the air discharged from the drum 2 is dehumidified and heated in sequence, and then the high-temperature dry air is resupplied to the drum. The exhaust-type drying system refers to a drying method in which outside air is heated and supplied to the drum 2, and after the heat exchange is completed, the air discharged from the drum 2 is exhausted to the outside of the cabinet 1.

[0212] When the dryer 100 is an exhaust type drying system, the supply section 3 includes an exhaust duct connecting the first exhaust port 128 and the second exhaust port 157, a supply duct that supplies outside air (air inside the cabinet or air outside the cabinet) to the drum 2, and a heat exchange section that heats the air that flows into the supply duct.

[0213] The above description is merely an illustrative example of the technical concept of the present invention, and various modifications and variations are possible by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0214] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted according to the claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. a drum including a drum body providing a space for storing clothes, a front cover forming a front surface of the drum body and having a drum inlet communicating with the space of the drum body, and a rear cover forming a rear surface of the drum body and having an air inlet; a stationary panel spaced apart from the rear cover of the drum and configured to direct air to the air inlet of the rear cover; a motor including a stator fixed to the fixed panel and a rotor rotating relative to the stator, the motor rotating the drum based on the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator; a first cooling hole disposed radially outward from the rear cover or the air inlet; a second cooling hole spaced apart from the first cooling hole and disposed radially outward from the rear cover or the air inlet; a duct cover that connects the first cooling hole and the second cooling hole and circulates air through the first cooling hole and the second cooling hole to cool the motor.

2. The dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the first cooling hole is formed on a lower side of the fixing panel with respect to the receiving portion, and the second cooling hole is formed on an upper side of the fixing panel with respect to the receiving portion.

3. A supply duct is fixed to the fixed panel and configured to guide air to the air inlet, the supply duct having a ring shape and a housing portion for housing the motor formed therein. The dryer of claim 1 , wherein an exhaust passage through which air is exhausted from the storage unit is formed at one side of the supply duct, and the second cooling hole faces an end of the exhaust passage.

4. The duct cover is a first cooling duct that guides air from the first cooling hole to the accommodation portion; a cover plate that covers the storage portion and into which the air guided by the first cooling duct flows; a second cooling duct extending from said cover plate to said second cooling hole.

5. The dryer according to claim 3 , wherein the duct cover is a case-like body that covers the first cooling hole, the storage portion, the supply duct, and the second cooling hole, and is fixed to the fixing panel.

6. The duct cover is a cover plate having an area larger than an area defined by the first cooling hole, the supply duct, and the second cooling hole; 6. The dryer of claim 5, further comprising a cover sidewall secured to the fixed panel at an outer periphery of the cover plate above the supply duct.

7. 2. The dryer of claim 1, wherein the rotor comprises a number of radially extending vanes for moving air in the enclosure.

8. 8. The dryer of claim 7, wherein the rotor includes a plurality of radially extending rotor through-holes for exhausting air from within the rotor.

9. The dryer of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first cooling hole and the second cooling hole houses a circulating fan.

10. 2. The dryer of claim 1, further comprising: a power transmission unit including: a housing fixed to the fixed panel; a first shaft located in the housing and coupled to the rotor; a second shaft located in the housing and coupled to the rear cover of the drum; and an interlocking gear located in the housing for reducing a rotational speed of the first shaft and transmitting a rotational force from the first shaft to the second shaft.

11. The power transmission unit includes: a main drive gear formed at an end of the first shaft and configured to transmit a rotational force to the interlocking gear; a driven gear formed at an end of the second shaft and receiving a rotational force from the interlocking gear; The dryer according to claim 10, wherein the interlocking gear includes a first gear that meshes with the driving gear and is rotated by the driving gear, and a second gear that meshes with the driven gear and rotates coaxially with the first gear and has a smaller diameter than the first gear.

12. a drum having a drum body providing a space for storing clothes, a rear cover forming a rear surface of the drum body and having an air inlet; a stationary panel spaced apart from the rear cover of the drum and configured to direct air into the air inlet; a motor including a stator fixed to the fixed panel and a rotor rotating relative to the stator, the motor rotating the drum based on the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator; a first cooling hole disposed radially outward from the rear cover or the air inlet; a second cooling hole spaced apart from the first cooling hole and disposed radially outward from the rear cover or the air inlet; a duct cover connecting the first cooling hole and the second cooling hole.

13. The cooling system further includes a supply duct that is fixed to the fixed panel and that forms a housing that houses the motor and a cooling flow path that extends to the outside of the housing, the cooling flow path being configured to discharge air to the outside of the supply duct; an inner circumferential surface of the housing portion faces an outer circumferential surface of the motor; The dryer of claim 12 , wherein the cooling passages extend radially outward from an inner circumferential surface of the enclosure to an outer circumferential surface of the supply duct.

14. The dryer of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first cooling hole and the second cooling hole is disposed in fluid communication with an end of the cooling channel.

15. The first cooling hole is formed in a lower portion of the fixing panel with respect to the receiving portion, The dryer of claim 14 , wherein the second cooling hole is formed in an upper portion of the fixing panel with respect to the receiving portion and is formed to be in fluid communication with an end of the cooling passage.

16. The dryer according to claim 14 , wherein the duct cover protrudes outward relative to an outer periphery of the supply duct to cover the first cooling hole and the second cooling hole.

17. The duct cover is a first cooling duct that guides air from the first cooling hole to the accommodation portion; a cover plate that covers the storage portion and into which the air guided by the first cooling duct flows; a second cooling duct extending from the cover plate to the second cooling hole.

18. The duct cover is a cover plate that covers the accommodation portion and protrudes outside the supply duct to cover the first cooling hole and the second cooling hole; 15. The dryer of claim 14, further comprising a cover sidewall extending from an outer periphery of the cover plate to the fixed panel and secured to the fixed panel.

19. The dryer of claim 14 , wherein the first and second cooling holes are located outwardly relative to an outer periphery of the supply duct.

20. The dryer of claim 19 , wherein the cooling passage extends from an inner periphery of the housing to an outer periphery of the supply duct and faces the second cooling hole.

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