Bathroom dryer

Abstract

To provide a bathroom dryer that enables a worker to easily install the bathroom dryer and a projector.SOLUTION: A dryer body 10 comprises a housing 11, a blower 21, a dumper 24 and a heater 25. The blower 21 is disposed in the housing 11. The blower 21 takes air present in a bathroom 60 into the housing 11 and sends the air taken thereinto to the bathroom 60 or to the outdoor. A projector 30 is disposed in the housing 11. Specifically, the blower 21 and the projector 30 are disposed in the common housing 11. The projector 30 projects an image onto a wall 62 of the bathroom 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a bathroom dryer.

Background Art

[0002] In a conventional bathroom, a projector and a heating, drying, and ventilation device are respectively installed on the back side of the ceiling or the back side of the wall. An opening is provided in the ceiling or the wall. The opening is blocked by a transparent cover member. The projector projects an image into the bathroom through the cover member. The heating, drying, and ventilation device is configured to be able to blow air onto the surface of the cover member (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional bathroom as described above, the heating, drying, and ventilation device and the projector are installed separately. Therefore, it is necessary to separately perform the installation work of the heating, drying, and ventilation device and the installation work of the projector, which is time-consuming for installation.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to obtain a bathroom dryer that can facilitate the installation of the bathroom dryer and the projector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The bathroom dryer according to the present disclosure includes a dryer main body having a housing and a blower provided in the housing and taking in air in the bathroom into the housing, and a projector provided in the housing and projecting an image into the bathroom.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the bathroom dryer of the present disclosure, the installation of the bathroom dryer and the projector can be facilitated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the installation state of the bathroom dryer according to Embodiment 1. In the figure, the bathroom dryer 50 is installed on the ceiling 61 of the bathroom 60. Further, the bathroom dryer 50 can project an image on the wall 62 of the bathroom 60.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of the bathroom dryer 50 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the bathroom dryer 50 in FIG. 2. The bathroom dryer 50 includes a dryer main body 10, a projector 30, and a control device 40.

[0011] In addition to the drying operation, the dryer main body 10 can also perform a ventilation operation and a heating operation. That is, the bathroom dryer 50 of Embodiment 1 is a bathroom heating, drying, and ventilation device.

[0012] Further, the dryer main body 10 has a housing 11, a blower 21, a damper 24, and a heater 25.

[0013] The blower 21 is provided in the housing 11. The blower 21 has a blower motor 22 and a fan 23. The blower motor 22 rotates the fan 23. Thereby, the blower 21 takes in the air in the bathroom 60 into the housing 11 and sends out the taken-in air into the bathroom 60 or outdoors.

[0014] The damper 24 is provided in the housing 11. The damper 24 is rotatable about a shaft 24a between an exhaust position shown in FIG. 2 and a circulation position shown in FIG. 4 by a flow path switching motor (not shown).

[0015] By rotating between the exhaust position and the circulation position, the damper 24 switches the air flow path in the housing 11 between an exhaust flow path and a circulation flow path. The exhaust flow path is a flow path for discharging the air taken into the housing 11 outdoors. The circulation flow path is a flow path for returning the air taken into the housing 11 into the bathroom 60.

[0016] The heater 25 is provided inside the housing 11. The heater 25 heats the air returned from inside the housing 11 into the bathroom 60 during the heating operation.

[0017] The projector 30 is provided on the housing 11. That is, the blower 21 and the projector 30 are provided on the common housing 11. The projector 30 projects an image onto the wall 62 of the bathroom 60.

[0018] The control device 40 is provided on the upper part of the housing 11. Further, the control device 40 controls the dryer main body 10 and the projector 30.

[0019] A transparent cover member 31 is provided on the part of the housing 11 facing the bathroom 60. The projector 30 projects an image into the bathroom 60 through the cover member 31. The cover member 31 transmits the light from the projector 30.

[0020] Further, an auxiliary air outlet 11c is provided at the lower part of the housing 11. The auxiliary air outlet 11c is an air outlet for blowing the air taken into the housing 11 toward the cover member 31. An electric louver 32 is provided at the auxiliary air outlet 11c. The auxiliary air outlet 11c can be opened and closed by the opening and closing operation of the louver 32.

[0021] The opening and closing operation of the louver 32 is controlled by the control device 40. The control device 40 automatically opens and closes the auxiliary air outlet 11c based on the presence or absence of the use of the projector 30.

[0022] The dryer main body 10, the projector 30, and the control device 40 use the same power supply.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the dryer main body 10. An air inlet 11a and a main air outlet 11b are provided at the lower part of the housing 11. The air in the bathroom 60 is taken into the housing 11 through the air inlet 11a. A filter 12 is provided at the air inlet 11a. The blower 21 is arranged directly above the air inlet 11a.

[0024] When the damper 24 is in the circulation position, the air in the housing 11 is returned from the main air outlet 11b into the bathroom 60. The heater 25 is disposed directly above the main air outlet 11b.

[0025] An exhaust duct 13 is connected to the housing 11. The exhaust duct 13 guides the air discharged from the housing 11 to the outside when the damper 24 is in the exhaust position. A design panel 14 is provided below the housing 11.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a first operating state of the bathroom dryer 50 of FIG. 1. The first operating state is a state where the dryer main body 10 is in the heating operation, but the projector 30 is not in use. In this case, the air heated by the heater 25 is blown out from the main air outlet 11b into the bathroom 60 as shown by the arrow A.

[0027] The main air outlet 11b is adjusted so that warm air hits the floor 63 of the bathroom 60. Thereby, the user can take a bath in a comfortable temperature environment.

[0028] In the first operating state, the auxiliary air outlet 11c is closed by the louver 32. Therefore, no air is blown out from the auxiliary air outlet 11c. The auxiliary air outlet 11c is disposed adjacent to the main air outlet 11b.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a second operating state of the bathroom dryer 50 of FIG. 1. The second operating state is a state where the dryer main body 10 is in the heating operation and the projector 30 is in use. Also in this case, the air heated by the heater 25 is blown out from the main air outlet 11b into the bathroom 60 as shown by the arrow A.

[0030] Further, the auxiliary air outlet 11c is opened by the louver 32. Therefore, as shown by the arrow B, air is blown from the auxiliary air outlet 11c toward the cover member 31. Thereby, condensation on the surface of the cover member 31 is suppressed, or water droplets adhering to the surface of the cover member 31 due to condensation are removed, and an image is projected onto the wall 62 in a good state.

[0031] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the air flow in the housing 11 in the second operating state. Most of the air taken into the housing 11 is heated by the heater 25 and blown out from the main air outlet 11b into the bathroom 60. Also, the remaining part of the air taken into the housing 11 is blown out from the auxiliary air outlet 11c toward the cover member 31.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the control device 40 of FIG. 2. The control device 40 includes, as functional blocks, a transmission / reception unit 41, a main control unit 42, and a projector control unit 43.

[0033] The transmission / reception unit 41 transmits and receives signals to and from a remote controller held by the user. Also, the transmission / reception unit 41 can communicate with an external server (not shown) via a communication network.

[0034] The main control unit 42 controls the blower 21, the flow path switching motor, the heater 25, and the louver 32. The projector control unit 43 controls the projector 30.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing by the control device 40 when using the projector 30 of FIG. 2. For example, when receiving a command to start image projection from the remote controller, the control device 40 turns on the power of the projector 30 and starts projecting the image specified by the user in step S101.

[0036] Subsequently, in step S102, the control device 40 determines whether the dryer main body 10 is in operation. If the dryer main body 10 is not in operation, the control device 40 starts the operation of the dryer main body 10 in step S103.

[0037] When the dryer main body 10 is in operation and when the operation of the dryer main body 10 is started, the control device 40 opens the louver 32 in step S104 and starts blowing air from the auxiliary air outlet 11c to the cover member 31.

[0038] After that, in step S105, the control device 40 determines whether to end the projection, that is, whether a command to end the image projection has been received. If the projection is not ended, the image projection is continued until a command to end the image projection is received.

[0039] When the projection is ended, that is, when a command to end the image projection is received, the control device 40 ends the image projection and turns off the power of the projector 30 in step S106.

[0040] Subsequently, in step S107, the control device 40 closes the louver 32 and ends the blowing of air from the auxiliary air outlet 11c to the cover member 31.

[0041] After that, in step S108, the control device 40 determines whether to continue the operation of the dryer main body 10, that is, whether the air blowing into the bathroom 60 is still required. If the operation of the dryer main body 10 is to be continued, the control device 40 ends the process of FIG. 8.

[0042] If the operation of the dryer main body 10 is not to be continued, the control device 40 stops the operation of the dryer main body 10 in step S109 and then ends the process of FIG. 8.

[0043] In such a bathroom dryer 50, a projector 30 is provided in the housing 11 of the dryer main body 10. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide an opening for the bathroom dryer 50 and an opening for the projector 30 in the ceiling 61 of the bathroom 60. Accordingly, the installation of the bathroom dryer 50 and the projector 30 can be facilitated.

[0044] Also, the power supply of the projector 30 and the power supply of the dryer main body 10 can be shared, and the labor of wiring work can be reduced.

[0045] Also, a part of the air in the housing 11 is blown out from the auxiliary air outlet 11c toward the cover member 31. Therefore, air can be more reliably applied to the cover member 31, and condensation on the surface of the cover member 31 can be more reliably suppressed. Accordingly, the light from the projector 30 is suppressed from being scattered by water droplets, and a clear image can be projected onto the wall 62.

[0046] Also, when the projector 30 is in use, while suppressing condensation of the cover member 31, air can be blown into the bathroom 60, and the image projected by the projector 30 can be viewed in a more comfortable environment.

[0047] Also, the auxiliary air outlet 11c can be opened and closed by a louver 32. Therefore, when the projector 30 is not in use, the auxiliary air outlet 11c can be closed, and the air in the housing 11 can be efficiently blown into the bathroom 60 from the main air outlet 11b.

[0048] Also, the control device 40 opens and closes the auxiliary air outlet 11c based on whether the projector 30 is in use or not. Therefore, condensation of the cover member 31 can be more reliably suppressed when the projector 30 is in use.

[0049] Note that the bathroom dryer 50 may be installed on the wall 62.

[0050] Also, the louver 32 may be a manual louver.

[0051] Also, each function of the control device 40 in Embodiment 1 is realized by a processing circuit. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a first example of a processing circuit that realizes each function of the control device 40 in Embodiment 1. The processing circuit 100 of the first example is dedicated hardware.

[0052] Also, the processing circuit 100 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Also, each function of the control device 40 may be realized by individual processing circuits 100, or each function may be realized collectively by the processing circuit 100.

[0053] Also, FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a second example of a processing circuit that realizes each function of the control device 40 in Embodiment 1. The processing circuit 200 of the second example includes a processor 201 and a memory 202.

[0054] As the processor 201, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) is used.

[0055] In the processing circuit 200, each function of the control device 40 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are described as programs and stored in the memory 202. The processor 201 reads and executes the programs stored in the memory 202 to realize each function.

[0056] The program stored in the memory 202 can also be said to cause the computer to execute the procedures or methods of each part described above. Here, the memory 202 is, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), etc. Also, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a DVD, etc. also correspond to the memory 202.

[0057] Regarding the functions of each part described above, some may be realized by dedicated hardware, and some may be realized by software or firmware.

[0058] In this way, the processing circuit can realize the functions of each part described above by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

Explanation of Signs

[0059] 10 Dryer main body, 11 Housing, 11c Auxiliary air outlet, 21 Blower, 30 Projector, 31 Cover member, 40 Control device, 50 Bathroom dryer, 60 Bathroom.

Claims

1. A dryer main body having a housing and a blower provided in the housing for taking in air in the bathroom into the housing, and A projector provided in the housing for projecting an image into the bathroom A bathroom dryer comprising.

2. A cover member that transmits light from the projector is provided in a portion of the housing facing the bathroom, The bathroom dryer according to claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with an auxiliary air outlet for blowing out the air taken into the housing toward the cover member.

3. The bathroom dryer according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary air outlet is openable and closable.

4. The bathroom dryer according to claim 3, further comprising a control device for opening and closing the auxiliary air outlet based on whether the projector is in use or not.

Images