Filter cleaning unit and dryer machine

Abstract

To provide a filter cleaning unit that can prevent hands of a user from becoming dirty during dust disposal and is excellent in operability and dust removal performance.SOLUTION: A filter panel 2 of a filer cleaning unit 10 includes: a lock button 7 for operating a lock mechanism 7a that fixes a communication state of a body case 1 with an air duct; a cleaning or duct ejection button 8 for operating a cleaning mechanism 8a that is linked with a turning shaft 5 to move a cleaning body 6. The lock button 7 and the cleaning or duct ejection button 8 are arranged at positions operable by the user in a state of grasping a grip part 2a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter cleaning device for removing dust adhering to a filter and a dryer equipped with this filter cleaning device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a filter for collecting dust has been installed, and a filter cleaning device for removing the dust adhering to this filter is known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] The filter cleaning device described in Patent Document 1 includes an arc-shaped filter body for collecting dust, a ventilation path provided on the upstream side of the filter body, a rotating shaft installed in the ventilation path, and a cleaning body that is provided on the rotating shaft and rotatably abuts against the filter body to remove the dust adhering to the filter body. It also has a dust storage part having an opening near the end position of the forward path of the cleaning body and a lid provided on the ventilation side. The lid has ventilation holes formed therein and is installed to be openable and closable by a hinge connected to a bottom plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the filter cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, in the operation of discarding the lint accumulated in the dust storage section, the user has to open the lid, and there is a problem that the hands get dirty at that time. Also, there is a known filter cleaning device in which a lever for opening and closing the lid is installed on the side surface of the filter cleaning device. However, in a state where the filter cleaning device is installed in a dryer, in order to prevent the movement of the lever for opening and closing the lid, it has been avoided to provide a function of automatically cleaning the filter by rotating the rotation shaft of the cleaning body using the drive source on the dryer side.

[0006] The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a filter cleaning device and a dryer that can prevent the user's hands from getting dirty when discarding dust and that are excellent in operability and dust removal performance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a filter cleaning device having a main body case that can be detachably attached to a ventilation duct, a filter panel provided on the upper surface of the main body case in a state where the main body case is attached to the ventilation duct and having a handle portion that can be gripped by a user, an arc-shaped filter body provided inside the main body case for collecting dust, a ventilation path provided on the upstream side of the filter body, a rotation shaft installed in the ventilation path, and a cleaning body that is provided on the rotation shaft, rotatably abuts against the filter body, and removes dust attached to the filter body. In the filter cleaning device, the filter panel has a lock button for operating a lock mechanism that fixes the communication state between the main body case and the ventilation duct, and a cleaning or dust discharge button for operating a cleaning mechanism that interlocks with the rotation shaft and moves the cleaning body, and the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharge button are arranged at positions where they can be operated while the user grips the handle portion.

[0008] In the invention of claim 1, there are a lock button for operating a lock mechanism that fixes the communication state between the filter panel constituting the filter cleaning device and the main body case and the ventilation duct, and a cleaning or dust discharge button for operating a cleaning mechanism that interlocks with a rotation shaft and moves the cleaning body. The lock button and the cleaning or dust discharge button are configured to be arranged at positions where they can be operated while the user holds the handle part. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the user's hands from getting dirty when discarding dust, and excellent operability and dust removal performance can be exhibited.

[0009] The invention of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1, wherein the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharge button both have locking pieces that can slide along the outer surface of the filter panel, and the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharge button are each characterized by sliding the respective locking pieces in a substantially parallel direction for operation. Thereby, in a state where the user holds the handle part, similar to the operation of the lock button, the operation of the cleaning or dust discharge button becomes easier, and the operability can be improved.

[0010] The invention of claim 3 is the invention of claim 2, wherein in a state where the user holds the handle part, the height of each locking piece of the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharge button from the outer surface of the filter panel is formed to be substantially the same as the height where the thumb is located. Thereby, in a state where the user holds the handle part, it becomes easier to hook the thumb on each locking piece of the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharge button, and the operability can be further improved.

[0011] The invention according to claim 4 is, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an operation button in which a lock button and a cleaning or dust discharging button are integrally formed is provided, and when the operation button is pressed, the locking mechanism is first released according to the amount of movement of the pressing, and then the cleaning mechanism operates. Thereby, it is not necessary for the user to perform complicated button operations, the operability can be further improved, and it is possible to prevent the cleaning body from moving when the cleaning or dust discharging button is operated while the filter cleaning device is attached to the dryer, and the safety can be enhanced.

[0012] The invention according to claim 5 is, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when the outer surface of the filter panel is viewed in a plan view, the handle portion is formed from substantially the center to a part on one side edge side, and the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharging button are on the other side edge side, and are formed closer to the thumb side than substantially the center of the handle portion when the user holds the handle portion. Thereby, the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharging button can be operated with the thumb of one hand, so that the operability can be further improved.

[0013] The invention according to claim 6 is, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the handle portion is a substantially rectangular opening or a long handle formed on the outer surface of the filter panel, the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharging button are formed in the vicinity of one side in the short side direction of the handle portion, and are in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the handle portion and are slid and operated on the handle portion side, and when the user holds the handle portion, the cleaning or dust discharging button is formed closer to the thumb side than the lock button. Thereby, the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharging button can be operated with the thumb of one hand, so that the operability can be further improved. Further, since the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharging button can be slid by the action of pulling the thumb while holding the handle portion, the operability can be further improved.

[0014] The invention according to claim 7 is an invention of a dryer, which has a dryer main body, a rotary drum rotatably arranged in the dryer main body for accommodating clothes and the like, a blowing means for blowing warm air into the rotary drum, a heating means, and a ventilation duct. In the rotary drum, the warm air generated by the blowing means and the heating means is circulated and supplied via the ventilation duct to enable drying of clothes and the like. A filter cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is provided on the exhaust side of the ventilation duct from the rotary drum. Thereby, when taking out the filter cleaning device from the dryer and discarding the dust, it is possible to prevent the user's hands from getting dirty and to exhibit excellent operability and dust removal performance.

[0015] The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the dryer main body is provided with a drive source that is connected to the rotation axis of the filter cleaning device and reciprocates the cleaning body. In a state where the filter cleaning device is removed from the dryer main body, the cleaning body can be moved only in the forward direction by operating a cleaning or dust discharge button. In a state where the filter cleaning device is attached to the dryer main body, the cleaning body is moved in the return direction by the drive source and returns to the initial position. Thereby, in a state where the filter cleaning device is removed from the dryer main body, the cleaning body moves only once in the forward direction, so it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally hurting a finger due to the reciprocating rotation of the cleaning body, and the safety can be enhanced.

[0016] The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein in a state where the filter cleaning device is attached to the dryer main body, the cleaning or dust discharge button is not affected by the rotation of the cleaning body. Thereby, in a state where the filter cleaning device is attached to the dryer main body, when the filter is automatically cleaned under the control of a microcomputer installed in the dryer main body, the cleaning or dust discharge button does not move, so it is possible to prevent an accident such as the user accidentally pinching a finger, and the safety can be enhanced.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] The invention of the filter cleaning device according to claim 1 can prevent the user's hands from getting dirty when discarding dust, and can exhibit excellent operability and dust removal performance. Further, the inventions according to claims 2 and 3 make it easier for the user to operate the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharge button while holding the handle portion, and can improve the operability of the filter cleaning device.

[0018] The invention according to claim 4 can enhance the safety of the filter cleaning device. Further, the inventions according to claims 5 and 6 can further enhance the operability of the filter cleaning device.

[0019] The invention of the dryer according to claim 7 can prevent the user's hands from getting dirty when taking out the filter cleaning device from the dryer and discarding the dust, and can exhibit excellent operability and dust removal performance. Further, the inventions according to claims 8 and 9 can enhance the safety of the dryer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

[0022] Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view showing a dryer in which a filter cleaning device according to the present invention is installed, and Fig. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the dryer. The dryer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to these figures.

[0023] The dryer 40 according to the present invention has a dryer main body 30 provided with a door 30a on the front surface, and in a rotary drum 30b rotatably disposed in a tank body 30d for accommodating clothes and the like, warm air generated by a blowing means (fan) 33 and a heating means 32 is circulated and supplied through ventilation ducts 31a, 31b, 31c to enable drying of the clothes. Further, the filter cleaning device 10 according to the present invention is detachably installed in the exhaust air passage of the ventilation ducts 31a, 31b, 31c from the tank body 30d.

[0024] Reference numeral 30c is a motor for rotating the rotary drum 30b, and this motor 30c rotates the rotary drum 30b during various processes such as a drying process, a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydration process. Further, as an example, a heat exchanger can be used as the heating means 32. Note that various methods such as a heat pump type and a heater type can be adopted as the method of the heat exchanger. Further, although the dryer 40 is of a drum type, it is not limited thereto, and for example, various methods such as a vertical type can be adopted.

[0025] Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view showing a filter cleaning device according to the present invention, and Fig. 2(b) is a perspective view showing the filter cleaning device according to the present invention with the lid body opened. Details of the filter cleaning device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to these figures.

[0026] The filter cleaning device 10 includes a main body case 1 that can be communicably attached to a ventilation duct (see FIG. 1), a filter panel 2 provided on the upper surface of the main body case 1 in a state where the main body case 1 is attached to the ventilation duct and having a handle part 2a that can be gripped by a user, an arc-shaped filter body 3 provided inside the main body case 1 for collecting dust, a ventilation passage 4 provided on the upstream side of the filter body 3, a rotating shaft 5 installed in the ventilation passage 4, and a cleaning body 6 that is provided on the rotating shaft 5 and rotatably abuts against the filter body 3 to remove dust attached to the filter body 3. The lid 9 and the bottom plate 1a constitute the main body case 1. The lid 9 has ventilation holes 9a formed therein and is installed so as to be openable and closable by a hinge 9b connected to the bottom plate 1a. Inside the lid 9, a dust box 9c for accommodating dust removed from the filter body 3 is formed. Further, the cleaning body 6 has a brush or blade formed at a position where it abuts against the filter body 3.

[0027] Note that the filter cleaning device 10 according to the present invention is mainly used by being communicably attached to the ventilation duct of a dryer, but is not limited thereto and can be used by being attached to various devices equipped with a ventilation duct.

[0028] The filter panel 2 has a lock button 7 for operating a lock mechanism 7a that fixes the communication state between the main body case 1 and the ventilation duct, and a cleaning or dust discharge button 8 for operating a cleaning mechanism 8a that interlocks with the rotating shaft 5 to move the cleaning body 6. The lock button 7 and the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 are arranged at positions where they can be operated while the user grips the handle part 2a. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user's hands from getting dirty when discarding dust, and excellent operability and dust removal performance can be exhibited.

[0029] Fig. 3(a) is a plan view showing a state where the user is operating the present filter cleaning device, and Fig. 3(b) is a partial cross-sectional view thereof. As shown in these figures, both the lock button 7 and the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 have locking pieces 7b and 8b that are slidable along the outer surface of the filter panel 2, and the lock button 7 and the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 are configured to be operated by sliding their respective locking pieces 7b and 8b in a substantially parallel direction. Thereby, in a state where the user grips the handle part 2a, similar to the operation of the lock button 7, the operation of the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 becomes easier, and the operability can be improved.

[0030] Also, in a state where the user grips the handle part 2a, the heights of the respective locking pieces 7b and 8b of the lock button 7 and the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 from the outer surface of the filter panel 2 are formed to be substantially the same as the height where the thumb is located. Thereby, in a state where the user grips the handle part 2a, it becomes easier to hook the thumb on the respective locking pieces 7b and 8b of the lock button 7 and the cleaning or dust discharge button 8, and the operability can be further improved. Incidentally, when the lock button 7 is slid, the protrusion of the lock mechanism 7a retracts inward, and the fixing of the communication state between the main body case 1 and the ventilation duct on the dryer side is released.

[0031] Also, in a state where the outer surface of the filter panel 2 is viewed in plan, the handle part 2a is formed from a substantially central part to a part on one side edge, and the lock button 7 and the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 are on the other side edge, and in a state where the user grips the handle part 2a, they are formed closer to the thumb side than the substantially central part of the handle part 2a. Thereby, since the lock button 7 and the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 can be operated with the thumb of one hand, the operability can be further improved.

[0032] In addition, the handle portion 2a is a substantially rectangular opening formed on the outer surface of the filter panel 2. The lock button 7 and the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 are formed near one side in the short side direction of the handle portion 2a, and are in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the handle portion 2a, and are slid and operated toward the handle portion 2a side. When the user holds the handle portion 2a, the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 is formed closer to the thumb side than the lock button 7. Thereby, since the lock button 7 and the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 can be operated with the thumb of one hand, the operability can be further improved.

[0033] Note that the handle portion 2a may be a long handle formed on the outer surface of the filter panel 2 instead of the substantially rectangular opening formed on the outer surface of the filter panel 2, and this is also included in the present invention.

[0034] Note that although not shown, the lock button 7 and the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 may be an integrated operation button. When this operation button is pressed, the lock mechanism is first released according to the amount of movement of the pressing, and then the cleaning mechanism can be configured to operate. Thereby, complicated button operations by the user are not required, the operability can be further improved, and it is possible to prevent the cleaning body from moving when the cleaning or dust discharge button is operated with the filter cleaning device mounted on the dryer, and the safety can be enhanced.

[0035] FIGS. 4(a) and (b) are perspective views showing the operation of the filter cleaning device in a state removed from the dryer. FIG. 4(a) shows a state where the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 and the cleaning body 6 are in the initial positions. FIG. 4(b) shows a state where the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 is pressed and the cleaning body 6 is in the final position. Note that in FIGS. 4(a) and (b), the filter panel 2 and the lid body 9 are omitted. The operation of the filter cleaning device in a state removed from the dryer will be described below with reference to these figures.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), a first gear 11a is fixed to one end of a rotating shaft 5 provided with a cleaning body 6, and a second gear 11b is fixed to the other end. The first gear 11a meshes with a third gear 11c, and the third gear 11c is rotatably fixed to a rotating shaft (not shown) fixed to the upper plate side of the main body case 1. Further, an engaging projection 12 (see FIG. 6) described later is formed on the upper surface of the third gear, and this engaging projection 12 is configured to engage with engaging walls 13a and 13b formed on the cleaning or dust discharge button 8. Also, a spring member 14 is fixed in the sliding direction of the dust discharge button 8. Note that the second gear 11b is configured to mesh with a gear on the drive source side of the dryer main body.

[0037] Then, when the dust discharge button 8 and the cleaning body 6 shown in FIG. 4(a) are in the initial position and the dust discharge button 8 is slid in the direction of arrow A, the third gear 11c rotates in the direction of arrow B, and the rotating shaft 5 to which the first gear 11a meshing with the third gear 11c is fixed rotates the cleaning body 6 in the direction of arrow C to remove dust from the arc-shaped filter body 3.

[0038] Next, when the cleaning body 6 shown in Fig. 4(b) reaches the final position, the omitted lid is pushed by the cleaning body 6 and comes off downward, and the dust accumulated in the main body case 1 is discharged to the outside. Incidentally, the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 is slid in the direction of arrow D by the spring force of the spring member 14 and returned to the initial position shown in Fig. 4(a). On the other hand, the cleaning body 6 rotates slightly in the direction of arrow E by returning the lid 9 to the initial position, but does not return to the initial position. That is, in a state where the filter cleaning device 10 is removed from the dryer main body, the cleaning body 6 can be moved only in the forward path direction by operating the cleaning or dust discharge button 8. Thereby, in a state where the filter cleaning device 10 is removed from the dryer main body, since the cleaning body 6 can be moved only once in the forward path direction, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally hurting a finger due to the reciprocating rotation of the cleaning body 6, and the safety can be improved. Incidentally, in the state of the initial position of the cleaning body 6, by being attached to the dryer, the drive source on the dryer side controlled by the microcomputer rotates the second gear 11b.

[0039] Figs. 5(a) and (b) are perspective views showing the operation of the filter cleaning device in a state of being attached to the dryer, Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view of the filter cleaning device in the state of Fig. 5(a) viewed from the lower side, and Fig. 6(b) is a perspective view of the filter cleaning device in the state of Fig. 5(b) viewed from the lower side. Incidentally, in Figs. 5(a) and (b), the filter panel 2 and the lid 9 are omitted. Also, in Figs. 6(a) and (b), the filter panel 2, the lid 9, and the bottom plate 1a are omitted. The operation of the filter cleaning device in a state of being attached to the dryer will be described below with reference to these figures.

[0040] When the filter cleaning device 10 shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 6(a) is attached to the dryer, with the cleaning body 6 in the initial position state, the drive source on the dryer side controlled by the microcomputer rotates the second gear 11b, rotates the cleaning body 6 in the direction of arrow F, and while the dust adhering to the filter body 3 is being removed, it rotates to the final position of the cleaning body 6 when the filter cleaning device 10 shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 6(b) is attached to the dryer. Next, the drive source on the dryer side controlled by the microcomputer rotates the second gear 11b, rotates the cleaning body 6 in the direction of arrow G, and returns to the initial position of the cleaning body 6 shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 6(a). This reciprocating motion of the cleaning body 6 is periodically and intermittently performed by the microcomputer installed on the dryer side to automatically clean the filter body 3.

[0041] Due to the reciprocating motion of the cleaning body 6, the third gear 11c will reciprocally rotate, but the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 does not operate and maintains the state in the initial position. That is, the engaging protrusion 12 formed on the third gear 11c only reciprocates between the engaging walls 13a and 13b, and the engaging protrusion 12 does not push the engaging wall 13b toward the spring member 14. Therefore, when the filter cleaning device 10 is attached to the dryer, the cleaning or dust discharge button 8 is not affected by the rotation of the cleaning body 6, so it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally pinching a finger or other injuries and improve safety.

Industrial Applicability

[0042] The filter cleaning device according to the present invention is used to remove dust adhering to the filter body. Further, the dryer according to the present invention is used as a dryer equipped with a filter cleaning device for removing dust adhering to the filter body.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0043] 1 Main body case 1a Bottom plate 2 Filter panel 2a Handle part 3 Filter body 4 Ventilation path 5 - rotation shaft 6 - cleaning body 6a - brush or blade 7 - lock button 7a - locking mechanism 7b - locking piece of the lock button 8 - cleaning or dust discharge button 8a - cleaning mechanism 8b - locking piece of the cleaning or dust discharge button 9 - cover 9a - ventilation hole 9b - hinge 9c - dust box 10 - filter cleaning device 11a - first gear 11b - second gear 11c - third gear 12 - engaging protrusion 13a, 13b - engaging wall 14 - spring member 30 - dryer body 30a - door 30b - rotating drum 30c - motor 30d - tank 31a, 31b, 31c - ventilation duct 32 - heating means 33 - air blowing means 40 - dryer A, B, C, D, E, F, G - arrows

Claims

1. A main body case that can be detachably attached to a ventilation duct, A filter panel that is provided on the upper surface of the main body case in a state where the main body case is attached to the ventilation duct and has a handle portion that can be grasped by a user, An arc-shaped filter body provided inside the main body case for collecting dust, A ventilation passage provided on the upstream side of the filter body, A rotating shaft installed in the ventilation passage, In a filter cleaning device having a cleaning body that is provided on the rotating shaft, rotatably abuts against the filter body, and removes dust attached to the filter body, The filter panel has a lock button for operating a lock mechanism that fixes the communication state between the main body case and the ventilation duct, and a cleaning or dust discharge button for operating a cleaning mechanism that interlocks with the rotating shaft and moves the cleaning body, The filter cleaning device, characterized in that the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharge button are arranged at positions where they can be operated while the user holds the handle portion.

2. The lock button and the cleaning or dust discharge button each have a locking piece that can slide along the outer surface of the filter panel, and the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharge button operate by sliding the respective locking pieces in a substantially parallel direction. The filter cleaning device according to claim 1.

3. The filter cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that, in a state where the user holds the handle portion, the height of each locking piece of the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharge button from the outer surface of the filter panel is formed to be substantially the same as the height at which the thumb is located.

4. An operation button is formed by integrally forming the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharge button, When the operation button is pressed, the lock mechanism is first released according to the amount of movement of the press, and then the cleaning mechanism operates. The filter cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. In a plan view of the outer surface of the filter panel, the handle portion is formed from a substantially central part to a part on one side edge, and the lock button and the cleaning or dust discharge button are on the other side edge and are formed closer to the thumb side than the substantially central part of the handle portion in a state where the user holds the handle portion. The filter cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The handle portion is a substantially rectangular opening or a long handle formed on the outer surface of the filter panel, The lock button and the cleaning or dust discharging button are formed near one side in the short side direction of the handle portion, and are operated by sliding in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the handle portion and toward the handle portion side. The filter cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in a state where the user holds the handle portion, the cleaning or dust discharging button is formed closer to the thumb side than the lock button.

7. A dryer main body, a rotary drum rotatably disposed in the dryer main body for accommodating clothes and the like, a blowing means for blowing warm air into the rotary drum, a heating means, and a ventilation duct. In the rotary drum, the warm air generated by the blowing means and the heating means is circulated and supplied via the ventilation duct to dry clothes and the like, and a filter cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is provided on the exhaust side of the ventilation duct from the rotary drum. A dryer equipped with

8. The dryer main body is provided with a drive source that is connected to the rotation axis of the filter cleaning device and reciprocates the cleaning body, In a state where the filter cleaning device is removed from the dryer main body, the cleaning body can be moved only in the forward direction by operating the cleaning or dust discharging button, The dryer according to claim 7, wherein, in a state where the filter cleaning device is attached to the dryer main body, the cleaning body is moved in the return direction by the drive source and returns to the initial position.

9. The dryer according to claim 7, wherein, in a state where the filter cleaning device is attached to the dryer main body, the cleaning or dust discharging button is not affected by the rotation of the cleaning body.

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