Clothes dryer

Abstract

To provide a clothes dryer which enables equipment to be removed or mounted even without an upper space above the clothes dryer, and which has excellent appearance.SOLUTION: A clothes dryer 1 includes an exterior part 2 having a separable part 4 and a main body part 3. The main body part 3 includes: a rotary drum 31 for storing and drying clothes; a main body part side dehumidifying path 42a in which one end is communicated and connected to the rotary drum 31, and through which heating air containing humidity flows; and a dehumidifying fan 34 for exhausting the heating air to the outside. The dehumidifying fan 34 is disposed in the main body part side dehumidifying path 42a. The separable part 4 includes: a space inside the separable part 4; a dehumidifying port 41 for exhausting the heating air to the outside; a separable part side dehumidifying path 42b disposed in the space and connected to the dehumidifying port 41; a connection part 44 for connecting the main body part side dehumidifying path 42a and the separable part side dehumidifying path 42b; an inspection port 47 communicated from the outside to the space; and an inspection lid 48 for closing the inspection port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clothes dryer having an exhaust / moisture removal path for heated, humid air. [Background technology]

[0002] Clothes dryers have a rotating drum that holds clothes. As the drum rotates, the clothes are moved around and heated air is applied to them, separating the water vapor from the clothes. Clothes dryers come in two types: electric and gas. Electric dryers use electricity and include an internal heater to dry clothes, while heat pump dryers use a heat exchanger to convert air into warm air. Gas dryers use gas to heat clothes to approximately 80-100°C. The air containing water vapor generated by the clothes dryer must be released outside. The air containing water vapor generated by electric clothes dryers is dehumidified with outside air or water before being released indoors. When using a gas clothes dryer indoors, a moisture exhaust port is installed on the dryer body, and a moisture exhaust pipe is connected to the moisture exhaust port. The moisture exhaust pipe is then installed outdoors to release the humid, heated air outdoors. Conventionally, the moisture outlet of a clothes dryer is often provided at the upper rear of the device body for aesthetic reasons, as shown in Patent Document 1. Furthermore, clothes dryers are often attached above washing machines. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-99459 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-179993 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To open the lid of the washing machine, it is necessary to secure space between the washing machine and the clothes dryer. This reduces the space between the top of the clothes dryer and the ceiling, reducing the working space for connecting the moisture exhaust port on the top of the clothes dryer to the moisture exhaust tube. As a result, it becomes difficult to install the device, and it also becomes difficult to remove the device in the event of a malfunction or replacement. However, if space for maintenance is provided above the device to improve workability, the installation conditions become stricter.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses technology relating to a moisture desorption direction changing device and clothes dryer that does not require much space and has an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and that by providing a moisture desorption chamber that can change the gas flow direction at will by changing the position of the outlet, the gas flow direction can be changed even if the moisture desorption chamber is thin, and the clothes dryer can be easily installed even if there is little space above it. However, even in the case of Patent Document 2, the work of attaching the device main body to the moisture desorption pipe and the work of removing the device main body from the moisture desorption pipe are difficult.

[0006] Furthermore, if the moisture exhaust port is located on the front of the device, it becomes easier to remove the device, but the piping on the front creates a feeling of oppression and detracts from the aesthetics. Also, if the user can easily touch the moisture exhaust pipe, it may come loose and allow humid heated air to stagnate indoors, raising the indoor temperature and humidity.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an aesthetically pleasing clothes dryer that allows the equipment to be removed and installed even when there is no space above the clothes dryer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The clothes dryer according to the present invention, which achieves the above object, has the following characteristic configuration: A clothes dryer having an exterior part having a separable part and a main body component, The main body component comprises: a rotating drum for storing and drying clothes; a main body component side moisture exhaust path, one end of which is connected to the rotary drum and through which humid heated air flows; a dehumidification fan that exhausts the heated air to the outside, The dehumidification fan is disposed in the dehumidification path on the main body component side, The separable portion is A space inside the separable portion; a moisture exhaust port for discharging the heated air to the outside; a separable section side moisture exhaust path disposed in the space and connected to the moisture exhaust port; a connection portion that connects the main body component side moisture desorption path and the separable portion side moisture desorption path; An inspection hatch communicating with the space from the outside; and an inspection cover that closes the inspection hatch.

[0009] The clothes stored in the rotating drum are dried using heated air. The heated air, which contains moisture generated by the clothes inside the rotating drum, is then passed through the rotating drum and the moisture exhaust path by the moisture exhaust fan, and then discharged to the outdoors through the moisture exhaust port via the moisture exhaust pipe. However, if the space above the clothes dryer is small, installation is difficult. Furthermore, removal of the device is also difficult when the device breaks down or needs to be replaced.

[0010] According to the above-described characteristic configuration, by connecting or disconnecting the connector of the moisture exhaust path, the moisture exhaust path on the main body component side and the moisture exhaust path on the separable part side can be connected to form a moisture exhaust path, or the moisture exhaust path can be divided into the moisture exhaust path on the main body component side and the moisture exhaust path on the separable part side. Also, an inspection hatch is provided that communicates with the space inside the separable part, so that an operator can remove the inspection cover and reach inside the separable part through the inspection hatch to easily connect or disconnect the connector of the moisture exhaust path inside the space. Therefore, a clothes dryer having the above-described characteristic configuration allows the device to be removed and installed even if there is no space above the clothes dryer.

[0011] Further characteristic configurations of the clothes dryer according to the present invention are as follows: The detachable portion and the main body portion are detachable.

[0012] Normally, the dehumidification fan is installed in the dehumidification path, but if it is installed on the detachable part side, the dehumidification fan will be suspended from the dehumidification pipe when the main body part is removed or installed. In such cases, a load is placed on the dehumidification pipe, creating the risk of it breaking or deforming. According to the above characteristic configuration, the separable portion and the main body component are separable. The dehumidification fan is disposed in the dehumidification path on the main body side, not in the separable portion. Therefore, when the main body component is separated and removed, the dehumidification fan is also separated along with the main body component. This reduces the load on the dehumidification pipe. Therefore, a clothes dryer having the above-described characteristic configuration allows the device to be removed and installed even if there is no space above the clothes dryer.

[0013] Further characteristic configurations of the clothes dryer according to the present invention are as follows: The present invention is characterized in that at least one fitting portion that can connect and fix the separable portion and the main body component is provided at corresponding positions on the separable portion and the main body component.

[0014] When installing a clothes dryer, the detachable section is first connected to the exhaust pipe. The main body is then attached. Without a means to secure the detachable section and the main body, the relative positions of the detachable section and the main body are unclear, making installation difficult. Furthermore, the clothes dryer may move due to vibrations during operation, potentially causing the moisture exhaust path to become dislodged or the main body to fall off the shelf. According to the above-mentioned characteristic configuration, the separable part and the main body component are provided with a fitting part that can connect and fix the separable part and the main body component, so that the separable part and the main body component can be attached while being aligned and fixed together. When removing the separable part and the main body component, the separable part can be separated and removed by releasing the connection and fixation of the fitting part. Furthermore, if there is sufficient space for installation above the clothes dryer, the separable portion and the main body component can be connected to the moisture exhaust pipe while they are still connected and fixed together. Therefore, a clothes dryer having the above-described characteristic configuration allows the device to be removed and installed even if there is no space above the clothes dryer.

[0015] Further characteristic configurations of the clothes dryer according to the present invention are as follows: The fitting portion of the separable portion has at least one protrusion protruding toward the front at the rear of the separable portion, the fitting portion of the main body constituent portion has at least one hole portion in the main body constituent portion at a position that can face the protrusion portion, The separable part and the exterior part can be connected by fitting the protrusion part into the hole part.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the protrusion serving as a fitting provided at the rear of the separable part is configured to protrude forward so as to fit into the hole serving as a fitting provided at the rear of the main body component. This configuration allows the positional relationship between the separable part and the main body component to be determined and the main body component to be fixed. Furthermore, if there is sufficient space for installation above the clothes dryer, the separable part and the main body component can be connected to the humidity exhaust pipe while still connected. Therefore, a clothes dryer having the above-described characteristic configuration allows the device to be removed and installed even if there is no space above the clothes dryer.

[0017] Further characteristic configurations of the clothes dryer according to the present invention are as follows: The inspection cover has at least one locking hole on a side that overlaps with a part of the main body constituent part, The inspection cover is fixed to the main body component by a fastener via the locking hole.

[0018] According to the above configuration, a locking hole is provided on the side of the inspection cover that overlaps with a portion of the main body component, and the inspection cover is fixed to the main body component with a fastener via the locking hole. This configuration allows the positional relationship between the detachable part and the main body component to be determined and the main body component to be fixed. Furthermore, if there is sufficient space for installation above the clothes dryer, the detachable part and the main body component can be connected to the moisture exhaust pipe while still connected. Therefore, a clothes dryer having the above-described characteristic configuration allows the device to be removed and installed even if there is no space above the clothes dryer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a clothes dryer according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of a main body component according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the connection between the main body constituent part and the separable part according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the inspection cover is attached after the main body constituent part and the separable part are connected to each other according to the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A clothes dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0021] (Overall configuration of clothes dryer 1) The overall configuration of the clothes dryer 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the clothes dryer 1 is configured in a rectangular parallelepiped housing.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 , the exterior 2 of the clothes dryer 1 includes a main body component 3 and a separable component 4. The separable component 4 is located in the upper left corner of the upper surface of the clothes dryer 1 on the rear side, and is located in the separable component 4. The moisture discharge port 41 is provided with a moisture discharge pipe 5 for discharging humid heated air from the clothes dryer 1 to the outside through the moisture discharge port 41, and a variable moisture discharge port and moisture discharge port guide (not shown) for connecting the moisture discharge pipe 5 to the moisture discharge port 41. The clothes dryer 1 includes a moisture discharge path 42 having one end connected to the rotating drum 31 and the other end connected to the moisture discharge port 41. The moisture discharge path 42 is provided with a flange 44 (an example of a connecting portion) so that the moisture discharge path 42 can be divided. In this embodiment, the separable component 4 is located in the upper left corner of the upper surface of the clothes dryer 1 when viewed from the front, but it may also be located in the upper right corner. When separable part 4 is located at the upper right when viewed from the front of clothes dryer 1, moisture discharge port 41 is located at the right corner of the upper surface of clothes dryer 1 on the rear side. In the following embodiment, a clothes dryer 1 having a separable part 4 located at the upper left when viewed from the front of the clothes dryer 1 will be described.

[0023] (Main body component 3) The main body component 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The main body component 3 includes a rotating drum 31 that stores and dries clothes, a gas burner 32 (an example of a heating means) that heats air, a heated air inlet path 33 that introduces the heated air into the rotating drum 31, a main body component side moisture exhaust path 42a that exhausts the moist heated air, and a moisture exhaust fan 34 that forcibly exhausts the moist heated air to the outside.

[0024] 1, the rotating drum 31 has a cylindrical shape and is positioned sideways with its front open. A drum motor 36 for rotating the rotating drum 31 is provided at the rear, lower left side when viewed from the front of the rotating drum 31. A pulley 37 is attached to the output shaft of the drum motor 36, and a rotary belt 38 for rotating the rotating drum 31 is stretched around the pulley 37.

[0025] A gas burner 32 and a heated air introduction path 33 are provided behind the rotating drum 31, and heated air is sent into the rotating drum 31 to raise the temperature inside the rotating drum 31. Gas drawn in by the moisture exhaust fan 34 passes through a main body component side moisture exhaust path 42a and a separable component side moisture exhaust path 42b (described later) and is discharged from a moisture exhaust port 41. The main body component side moisture exhaust path 42a is configured with a pipe that is connected at one end to the front side of the side of the rotating drum 31, extends horizontally to the left when viewed from the front of the clothes dryer 1, and then extends vertically upward. The other end of the main body component side moisture exhaust path 42a is formed with a flange 44a (an example of a connector). The main body component side moisture exhaust path 42a is provided with a moisture exhaust fan 34 on the side of the rotating drum 31 with its rotation axis horizontal, for drawing gas containing water vapor separated from the clothes and exhaust gas from the gas burner 32 from inside the rotating drum 31. The moisture exhaust fan 34 is a centrifugal fan such as a sirocco fan or turbo fan that is rotated by a moisture exhaust fan motor 35. The rear of the main body component 3 has a hole 39 (an example of a fitting portion) that is formed to fit into a protrusion 45 of the separable portion 4 described below.

[0026] In the clothes dryer 1 having the above configuration, the drum motor 36 rotates the rotating drum 31, the moisture exhaust fan motor 35 operates the moisture exhaust fan 34, and air heated by the gas burner 32 is introduced into the rotating drum 31 through the heated air inlet path 33, thereby drying the clothes stored in the rotating drum 31. The heated air containing moisture generated during drying is passed by the moisture exhaust fan 34 through the main body component side moisture exhaust path 42a and discharged to the outside via the separable part side moisture exhaust path 42b and moisture exhaust port 41.

[0027] (Separable part 4) Next, the separable part 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The separable part 4 has a moisture dehumidification port 41 and a separable part-side moisture dehumidification path 42b. The rear wall of the separable part 4 is closed and has a protrusion 45 (an example of a fitting portion) that protrudes forward. The separable part-side moisture dehumidification path 42b is configured as a pipe that is connected at one end to the moisture dehumidification port 41, extends vertically downward, then extends horizontally to the front side, and then extends vertically downward again. The other end of the separable part-side moisture dehumidification path 42b is formed with a flange 44b (an example of a connecting portion) that can be connected to the flange 44a of the main body component-side moisture dehumidification path 42a. The connection of the flange 44a and the flange 44b allows the main body component-side moisture dehumidification path 42a and the separable part-side moisture dehumidification path 42b to form the moisture dehumidification path 42. It is also possible to separate the moisture desorption path 42 into the main body component side moisture desorption path 42a and the separable portion side moisture desorption path 42b by disconnecting the flanges 44a and 44b. The flanges 44a and 44b may be of any type, including plug-welded flanges, socket-welded flanges, butt-welded flanges, loose-fit flanges, and screw-in flanges. 2, there is a space 46 inside the separable part 4. An inspection hatch 47 that communicates with the space 46 from the outside is provided on the front of the clothes dryer 1. An inspection lid 48 is provided to close the inspection hatch 47. Note that a locking hole 49 is provided in the part of the inspection lid 48 that overlaps with the main body component 3 so that the inspection lid 48 overlaps with a part of the main body component 3. Note that in this embodiment, the inspection lid 48 is triangular in shape, but it may also be rectangular or round.

[0028] The separable part 4 having the above configuration can be attached to the moisture exhaust pipe 5 by itself first. The separable part 4 has a protrusion 45, which facilitates left-right alignment of the separable part 4 and the main body component 3. The moisture exhaust path 42 is configured by connecting the main body component side moisture exhaust path 42a and the separable part side moisture exhaust path 42b via flanges 44a and 44b. Therefore, the separable part 4 and the main body component 3 can be connected and disconnected by connecting the flanges 44a and 44b. Furthermore, the flanges 44a and 44b are configured to be located on the front side of the space 46 inside the separable part 4, which allows an operator to easily operate the flanges 44a and 44b in the space 46 through the inspection hatch 47 to connect and disconnect the main body component 3 and the separable part 4.

[0029] (How to install clothes dryer 1) A method for installing clothes dryer 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Separable part 4 is connected to moisture exhaust pipe 5 that has been installed in advance on the ceiling or wall. Next, the main body component 3 is brought close to the separable part 4. As shown in Figure 3, a protrusion 45 is provided on the rear of the separable part 4, which is designed to fit into a hole 39 provided on the rear of the main body component 3. Therefore, while checking the position of the protrusion 45 on the separable part 4 attached to the moisture exhaust pipe 5, the left and right position of the main body component 3 is adjusted and brought close so that the hole 39 of the main body component 3 fits into it. Thus, the left and right movement of the main body component 3 can be fixed.

[0030] Next, flanges 44a, 44b formed on main body component side moisture dehumidification path 42a and separable part side moisture dehumidification path 42b are connected. Separable part side moisture dehumidification path 42b of separable part 4 is connected to main body component side moisture dehumidification path 42a of main body component 3, thereby connecting main body component 3 to separable part 4. Finally, as shown in Figure 4, inspection cover 48 is attached to separable part 4, which also fixes movement of main body component 3 in the front-to-rear direction, completing the installation of clothes dryer 1.

[0031] Furthermore, if any malfunction occurs in the clothes dryer 1 or if the clothes dryer 1 is to be replaced, the fastener of the locking hole 49 is removed to release the connection between the inspection lid 48 and the main body component 3. Next, the connection between the flanges 44a and 44b provided on the moisture exhaust path 42 can be released to separate the main body component 3 from the detachable part 4. In this way, only the main body component 3 can be removed, providing a large space for maintenance work on the main body component 3 or for installing a new main body component 3.

[0032] This allows for easy installation and removal of the device even when there is no space above clothes dryer 1. If there is ample space to install clothes dryer 1, installation can be performed with main body component 3 and separable component 4 still connected, similar to the installation of a normal clothes dryer.

[0033] <Another embodiment>

[0034] (1) In the above embodiment, the flanges 44a and 44b are shown as an example of the connecting portion, but the present invention is not limited to this, and clamps, threaded pipe joints, etc. may also be used.

[0035] (2) In the above embodiment, inspection hatch 47 is provided on the front surface of clothes dryer 1, but this is not limitative and inspection hatch 47 may be provided on the top surface or side surface of clothes dryer 1.

[0036] (3) In the above embodiment, the separable part 4 is configured to be provided in the upper left part of the clothes dryer 1, but this is not limitative and the separable part 4 may be configured to be provided in the upper right part.

[0037] (4) The shapes of the protrusions 45 and holes 39 are not particularly limited as long as they can position the separable part 4 and the main body component 3 and fix the left-right movement of the main body component 3. For example, the protrusions 45 may be cylindrical, approximately hemispherical, triangular prism, or square prism, and the holes 39 may be circular, triangular, or rectangular, as long as the shape and size of the base end of the protrusions 45 correspond to the holes 39. Furthermore, the number of protrusions 45 and holes 39 can be any number, but it is preferable that the number of protrusions 45 and holes 39 be the same. Note that the protrusions 45 and holes 39 are merely examples of fitting parts, and are not limited to these as long as they are a mechanism that can fix the positions of the main body component 3 and the separable part 4.

[0038] (5) The number of locking holes 49 is not particularly limited as long as the separable portion 4 can be fixed to the main body portion 3, and any number of locking holes 49 can be provided.

[0039] (6) In the above embodiment, the dehumidifying fan 34 is configured to be provided to the side of the rotating drum 31, but it may also be configured to be provided below or behind the rotating drum 31. When the dehumidifying fan 34 is provided below the rotating drum 31, it is desirable to install the rotation axis of the dehumidifying fan 34 perpendicular to the bottom surface of the clothes dryer 1.

[0040] (7) In the above embodiment, the gas burner 32 is shown as an example of the heating means, but this is not limiting and an electric heat source such as a ceramic heater may also be used. Also, in the above embodiment, the gas burner 32 is configured to be provided behind the rotating drum 31, but it may also be configured to be provided below or to the side of the rotating drum 31.

[0041] Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradictions arise. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the purpose of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1: Clothes dryer 2:Exterior part 3: Main body components 4: Separable part 31: Rotating drum 33: Heated air introduction path 34: Moisture exhaust fan 39: Hole (fitting part) 41:Drainage port 42: Moisture drainage route 42a: Main body component side moisture exhaust path 42b: Separable part side moisture drainage path 44: Flange (connection part) 44a: Flange (connection part) 44b: Flange (connection part) 45:Protrusion (fitting part) 46: Space 47: Inspection hatch 48: Inspection cover 49: Locking hole

Claims

1. A clothes dryer having an exterior part having a separable part and a main body component, The main body component comprises: a rotating drum for storing and drying clothes; a main body component side moisture exhaust path, one end of which is connected to the rotary drum and through which humid heated air flows; a dehumidification fan that exhausts the heated air to the outside, The dehumidification fan is disposed in the dehumidification path on the main body component side, The separable portion is A space inside the separable portion; a moisture exhaust port for discharging the heated air to the outside; a separable section side moisture exhaust path disposed in the space and connected to the moisture exhaust port; a connection portion that connects the main body component side moisture desorption path and the separable portion side moisture desorption path; an inspection hatch communicating with the space from the outside; A clothes dryer having an inspection cover that closes the inspection hatch.

2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the separable portion and the main body portion are separable.

3. The clothes dryer according to claim 2 , further comprising at least one fitting portion that allows the separable portion and the main body component to be connected and fixed at corresponding positions on the separable portion and the main body component.

4. The fitting portion of the separable portion has at least one protrusion protruding toward the front at the rear of the separable portion, the fitting portion of the main body constituent portion has at least one hole portion in the main body constituent portion at a position that can face the protrusion portion, The clothes dryer according to claim 3 , wherein the separable part and the exterior part are connectable by fitting the protrusion into the hole.

5. The inspection cover has at least one locking hole on a side that overlaps with a part of the main body constituent part, The clothes dryer according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the inspection lid is fixed to the main body component by a fastener via the locking hole.

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