Clothes dryer

Abstract

To provide a clothes dryer which can be mounted without providing surplus piping outside the equipment and which has excellent appearance.SOLUTION: A clothes dryer includes: an exterior part 2 having a dehumidifying port 41 on an upper surface; a rotary drum 31; a dehumidifying path 42 through which heating air containing humidity generated in the rotary drum 31 flows; and a dehumidifying fan 34 for exhausting the heating air to the outside of the exterior part 2 via the rotary drum 31 and the dehumidifying path 42. The rotary drum 31, the dehumidifying path 42, and the dehumidifying fan 34 are arranged inside the exterior part 2. The dehumidifying path 42 includes: a first dehumidifying path 43, one end of which is communicated and connected with the rotary drum 31 and which extends vertically; a second dehumidifying path 44 which is communicated and connected with the other end of the first dehumidifying path 43 and which extends in the lateral direction; and a dehumidifying port position defining member 47a for defining a connection position between the dehumidifying port 41, to which a dehumidifying pipe 5 is connected from the outside of the exterior part 2, and the second dehumidifying path 44.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an exhaust / dehumidification path for heated, humid air in a clothes dryer. [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 space available for tasks such as connecting the moisture exhaust port on the top of the clothes dryer to the moisture exhaust tube. This reduces the ease of installation and also reduces the ease of removal of the device in the event of a malfunction or replacement. However, providing space above the device for maintenance to improve accessibility makes installation requirements more stringent.

[0005] Furthermore, depending on the location and orientation of the clothes dryer, it may be necessary to drill a hole in the front or side wall of the appliance body at a location away from the moisture exhaust port to install the moisture exhaust pipe. In such cases, when installing a conventional clothes dryer, the path required to connect the moisture exhaust pipe to the moisture exhaust port becomes long, requiring additional space for moisture exhaust, which is unsightly.

[0006] 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 as desired by arbitrarily changing the position of the exhaust port, 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 moisture desorption port and moisture desorption pipe are provided on the front, which creates a feeling of oppression and is not aesthetically pleasing.

[0007] Furthermore, if the moisture exhaust port is located on the front of the appliance, the piping on the front creates a feeling of oppression and detracts from the aesthetics. Also, if the moisture exhaust pipe becomes easily accessible to users, there is a risk that the pipe may come loose and moisture-laden combustion exhaust gas may accumulate indoors, causing an increase in the indoor temperature and humidity.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a clothes dryer that has an excellent aesthetic appearance and can be installed without providing any extra piping outside the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The clothes dryer according to the present invention, which achieves the above object, has the following characteristic configuration: an exterior part having a moisture exhaust port on an upper surface; a rotating drum for storing and drying clothes; a moisture exhaust path through which heated air containing moisture generated in the rotary drum flows; a dehumidification fan that exhausts the heated air to the outside of the exterior part through the rotating drum and the dehumidification path, the rotating drum, the moisture exhaust path, and the moisture exhaust fan are disposed inside the exterior part, The moisture desorption path includes a first moisture desorption path having one end connected to the rotating drum and extending in a vertical direction, and a second moisture desorption path having the other end connected to the first moisture desorption path and extending in a horizontal direction, The moisture desorption port has a moisture desorption port position defining member that defines a connection position between the moisture desorption port, to which a moisture desorption pipe is connected from the exterior side of the exterior part, and the second moisture desorption path.

[0010] The clothes stored in the rotating drum are dried using heated air introduced by a heating means. The heated air containing moisture generated by the clothes inside the rotating drum is passed through the rotating drum and the moisture discharge path by a moisture discharge fan installed in the moisture discharge path, and then discharged outdoors through a moisture discharge pipe connected to a moisture discharge port. However, depending on the location of the moisture discharge pipe, the piping required to connect the moisture discharge pipe to the moisture discharge port can be long, which is unsightly.

[0011] According to the above characteristic configuration, the rotating drum, moisture desorption path, and moisture desorption fan are located inside the exterior, eliminating the need for extra piping outside the device. The moisture desorption path includes a first moisture desorption path that is connected to the rotating drum at one end and extends vertically, a second moisture desorption path that is connected to the other end of the first moisture desorption path and extends horizontally, and a moisture desorption port position defining member that defines the connection position between the moisture desorption port to which the moisture desorption pipe is connected from the exterior of the exterior and the second moisture desorption path. By providing a moisture desorption port position defining member that can define an appropriate moisture desorption port depending on the location of the moisture desorption pipe, the position of the moisture desorption port to which the second moisture desorption path 44 is connected can be defined, allowing humid heated air to be exhausted to the outside of the exterior. Therefore, a clothes dryer having the above-described characteristic configuration can be installed without providing any extra piping outside the device.

[0012] Further characteristic configurations of the clothes dryer according to the present invention are as follows: A plurality of the moisture exhaust ports are formed, The second moisture removal path is a tubular member and includes a horizontal path formed in a circular, rectangular, or angular C-shape in plan view; a plurality of vertical paths extending vertically from the lateral path are provided as the moisture discharge port position defining members at positions corresponding to the plurality of moisture discharge ports, Among the multiple moisture exhaust ports, the one to which the moisture exhaust pipe is connected is in a state in which the moisture exhaust pipe and one of the multiple vertical paths can flow through, and the moisture exhaust ports other than the one to which the moisture exhaust pipe is connected are provided with lids that close the moisture exhaust ports, making them in a state in which flow cannot flow through.

[0013] According to the above characteristic configuration, the exterior portion includes a plurality of moisture desorption ports. The second moisture desorption path, which is a pipe member, includes a horizontal path that is circular, rectangular, or angular C-shaped in plan view. Furthermore, the moisture desorption port position defining member includes a plurality of vertical paths extending vertically from the horizontal path at positions corresponding to the plurality of moisture desorption ports. In other words, the plurality of moisture desorption ports are formed to be located above the horizontal paths that are circular, rectangular, or angular C-shaped in plan view. The moisture desorption ports are connected to the horizontal paths by the vertical paths. Therefore, by determining an appropriate moisture desorption port according to the location where the moisture desorption pipe is installed and defining the position of the moisture desorption port connected to the moisture desorption pipe, the heated air containing moisture generated in the rotating drum can flow. Furthermore, the moisture desorption ports not connected to the moisture desorption pipe are provided with lids, which can prevent the heated air containing moisture from flowing through. Therefore, a clothes dryer having the above-described characteristic configuration can be installed without providing any extra piping outside the device.

[0014] Further characteristic configurations of the clothes dryer according to the present invention are as follows: the second moisture desorption path includes a lateral path formed by a hollow member having a flat space that is longer in the lateral direction than in the vertical direction, a plate-shaped member that forms an upper surface of the lateral path as the moisture discharge port position defining member; The moisture discharge port to which the moisture discharge pipe is connected is in a state where the moisture discharge pipe and an opening formed in the plate-like member can communicate with each other.

[0015] According to the above-described characteristic configuration, the second moisture desorption path includes a lateral path formed by a hollow member with a flat space that is longer in the lateral direction than in the vertical direction, and the moisture desorption port position defining member includes a plate-shaped member that forms the upper surface of the lateral path, with an opening formed in the plate-shaped member. That is, the moisture desorption port is provided at a position corresponding to the opening formed in the plate-shaped member provided at the top of the lateral path formed by the hollow member. Therefore, by determining a plate-shaped member with an appropriate moisture desorption port and defining the position of the moisture desorption port connected to the moisture desorption pipe according to the installation position of the moisture desorption pipe, heated air containing moisture generated inside the rotating drum can flow. Furthermore, because the second moisture desorption path is a hollow member with a flat space that is longer in the lateral direction than in the vertical direction, the position of the moisture desorption port can be flexibly determined according to the installation position of the moisture desorption pipe. Therefore, a clothes dryer having the above-described characteristic configuration can be installed without providing any extra piping outside the device.

[0016] Further characteristic configurations of the clothes dryer according to the present invention are as follows: A plurality of the moisture exhaust ports are formed, the second moisture dehumidification path is formed by a straight pipe member extending laterally, one end of the straight pipe member is connected in communication with the other end of the first moisture desorption path and has a one-end vertical portion extending in the up-down direction, and the one-end vertical portion is connected to the other end of the first moisture desorption path so as to be rotatable along an axis in the up-down direction, The moisture discharge port position defining member includes an other end vertical portion extending in the up-down direction at the other end of the straight pipe member, Among the multiple dehumidification outlets, the dehumidification outlet to which the dehumidification pipe is connected is in a state in which flow can pass between the dehumidification pipe and the vertical portion on the other end side, and the dehumidification outlets other than the dehumidification outlet to which the dehumidification pipe is connected are provided with lids that close the dehumidification outlets, making them in a state in which flow cannot pass through.

[0017] According to the above characteristic configuration, the second moisture desorption path is formed by a straight pipe member extending laterally and includes a vertically extending second end portion at the other end of the straight pipe member as a moisture desorption port position defining member. The vertical first end portion is rotatably connected to the other end of the first moisture desorption path along a vertical axis. In other words, among the multiple moisture desorption ports, an appropriate moisture desorption port position is defined according to the location where the moisture desorption pipe is installed. The second moisture desorption path can be connected to the defined moisture desorption port by rotating along the vertical axis relative to the other end of the first moisture desorption path. Therefore, by determining an appropriate moisture desorption port according to the location where the moisture desorption pipe is installed and defining the position of the moisture desorption port connected to the moisture desorption pipe, heated air containing moisture generated inside the rotating drum can flow. Furthermore, the moisture desorption ports not connected to the moisture desorption pipe are provided with lids, preventing the flow of heated air containing moisture. Therefore, a clothes dryer having the above-described characteristic configuration can be installed without providing any extra piping outside the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a clothes dryer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a clothes dryer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a moisture exhaust pipe attached to a clothes dryer according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how to position the moisture discharge path of the clothes dryer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state in which the clothes dryer according to the first embodiment is installed. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a clothes dryer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a moisture exhaust pipe attached to a clothes dryer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the clothes dryer according to the second embodiment is installed. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modified example of the clothes dryer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a moisture exhaust pipe attached to a modified example of the clothes dryer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state in which a modified example of the clothes dryer according to the second embodiment is installed. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a clothes dryer according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a moisture exhaust pipe attached to a clothes dryer according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the installation of the clothes dryer according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] 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.

[0020] (Overall configuration of the clothes dryer according to the first embodiment) The overall configuration of a clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, an exterior part 2 of the clothes dryer 1 is formed of a rectangular parallelepiped housing.

[0021] 1, the exterior part 2 is provided inside with a rotary drum 31, a moisture exhaust path 42, and a moisture exhaust fan 34. A moisture exhaust port 41 is arranged on the top surface of the exterior part 2, and a moisture exhaust pipe 5 is connected to it.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the rotating drum 31 has a cylindrical shape and is positioned sideways with its front open. As shown in Fig. 2, 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. 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.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the moisture desorption path 42 is provided on the left side of the rotating drum 31 when viewed from the front of the clothes dryer 1, and heated air containing moisture generated inside the rotating drum 31 flows through the moisture desorption path 42. The moisture desorption path 42 is made up of a first moisture desorption path 43 and a second moisture desorption path 44. One end of the first moisture desorption path 43 is connected to the rotating drum 31 and extends in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the second moisture desorption path 44 is made up of a straight pipe member extending in the horizontal direction. One end of the second moisture desorption path 44 is connected to the other end of the first moisture desorption path 43 and includes a one-end vertical portion 49 that extends in the vertical direction. The other end of the second moisture desorption path 44 is provided with a one-end vertical portion 47a (an example of a moisture desorption port position defining member) that extends in the vertical direction. The one-end vertical portion 49 is connected by a rotation mechanism 46 that the first moisture desorption path 43 has, and as shown in Fig. 4, the rotation mechanism 46 is configured to freely rotate the second moisture desorption path 44 along the vertical axis of the first moisture desorption path 43. Also, as shown in Fig. 1, the moisture desorption path exterior part 21 is provided at the upper left in a front view of the exterior part 2 so as to cover the entire moisture desorption path 42. Although not shown, the moisture desorption path exterior part 21 has a structure that allows it to be connected to the exterior part 2.

[0024] 2, the dehumidification fan 34 is provided on the side of the rotating drum 31, and exhausts the heated air containing moisture to the outside of the exterior part 2 via the rotating drum 31 and the dehumidification path 42. The dehumidification fan 34 is a centrifugal blower fan such as a sirocco fan or turbo fan that is rotated by a dehumidification fan motor 35, and is provided on the rotating drum 31 side of the center of the dehumidification path 42 so that its rotation axis is horizontal.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, two moisture desorption ports 41 are formed on the upper surface of the exterior part 2 in a plan view of the exterior part 2. In addition, a lid 45 (an example of a lid) that covers the entire moisture desorption port 41 is provided on the moisture desorption port 41 that is not connected to the moisture desorption pipe 5, so that heated air containing moisture does not flow through. In addition, a moisture desorption port guide (not shown) for connecting the moisture desorption pipe 5 is provided on the moisture desorption port 41, and has a structure that can be fitted with the moisture desorption pipe 5 described below.

[0026] 3, the moisture exhaust pipe 5 is cylindrical and is a pipe for discharging heated air containing moisture generated inside the clothes dryer 1 to the outdoors through the moisture exhaust port 41, and is installed on a wall or ceiling facing the outdoors. Although not shown, the inner periphery of the moisture exhaust pipe 5 has a structure that allows it to fit into a moisture exhaust port guide installed in the moisture exhaust port 41.

[0027] In clothes dryer 1 having the above configuration, rotating drum 31 is rotated by drum motor 36, moisture exhaust fan 34 is operated by moisture exhaust fan motor 35, and air heated by gas burner 32 is introduced into rotating drum 31 through heated air inlet path 33, thereby drying the clothes stored in rotating drum 31. Heated air containing moisture generated during drying is passed through moisture exhaust path 42 by moisture exhaust fan 34.

[0028] The moisture desorption path 42 has a rotation mechanism 46, which can rotate the second moisture desorption path 44 along the vertical axis of the first moisture desorption path 43 to match the position where the moisture desorption pipe 5 is installed. Therefore, an appropriate position for the moisture desorption port 41 can be determined at the time of installation, and the connection position between the moisture desorption port 41 to which the moisture desorption pipe 5 is connected and the second moisture desorption path 44 can be determined. Then, by connecting the moisture desorption pipe 5 to the determined moisture desorption port 41, the flow of humid heated air is permitted. In addition, a lid 45 is provided on the moisture desorption port 41 to which the moisture desorption pipe 5 is not connected, so that the flow of humid heated air is not permitted. Therefore, the clothes dryer 1 having the above configuration can be installed without providing any extra piping outside the device.

[0029] (Installation of the clothes dryer according to the first embodiment) Next, the installation of the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0030] The moisture dehumidification pipe 5 shown in Figures 4 and 5 is installed and fixed to the ceiling in advance. As shown in Figure 4, the rotation mechanism 46 is operated to rotate the second moisture dehumidification path 44 along the vertical axis of the first moisture dehumidification path 43, according to the installed position of the moisture dehumidification pipe 5. Once the position of the moisture dehumidification outlet 41 has been determined, as shown in Figure 5, the moisture dehumidification path exterior part 21 is attached and fixed to the exterior part 2, and the moisture dehumidification outlet 41 that is not connected to the moisture dehumidification pipe 5 is closed with a lid 45 that covers the entire moisture dehumidification outlet 41. Thereafter, the clothes dryer 1 is moved close to the moisture dehumidification pipe 5 while aligning the positions of the moisture dehumidification pipe 5 and the moisture dehumidification outlet 41. The installation of the clothes dryer 1 is completed when the moisture dehumidification pipe 5 and the moisture dehumidification outlet 41 are connected and fixed.

[0031] (Overall configuration of the clothes dryer according to the second embodiment) Next, the configuration of a clothes dryer 7 according to a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the clothes dryer 7. As shown in Fig. 6, the second moisture discharge path 44 of the clothes dryer 7 is a horizontal path formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, and includes a vertical path 47b as a moisture discharge port position defining member, and differs from the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment in that the moisture discharge path 42 does not include a rotation mechanism 46. The clothes dryer 7 will be described below, but a description of the same configuration as the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 6, the clothes dryer 7 has a moisture decompression path 42 composed of a first moisture decompression path 43 that extends vertically and has one end connected to the rotating drum 31, and a second moisture decompression path 44 that branches off from the upper end of the first moisture decompression path 43 and has a lateral path that runs around the inside of the upper part of the exterior part 2. The second moisture decompression path 44 is configured to have a rectangular shape in a plan view of the clothes dryer 7. The second moisture decompression path 44 also has a vertical path 47b that serves as a moisture decompression port position defining member and extends from the lateral path. A plurality of moisture decompression ports 41 are formed on the top surface of the clothes dryer 7 at positions corresponding to the vertical paths 47b.

[0033] 7, the moisture exhaust pipe 5 is cylindrical and is a pipe for discharging heated air containing moisture generated inside the clothes dryer 7 to the outdoors through the moisture exhaust port 41, and is installed on a wall or ceiling facing the outdoors. Although not shown, the inner periphery of the moisture exhaust pipe 5 has a structure that allows it to fit into a moisture exhaust port guide installed in the moisture exhaust port 41.

[0034] Clothes dryer 7 having the above configuration can determine an appropriate moisture discharge port 41 according to the position where moisture discharge pipe 5 is installed, and can determine the connection position between moisture discharge port 41 to which moisture discharge pipe 5 is connected and second moisture discharge path 44. Then, by connecting moisture discharge pipe 5 to the determined moisture discharge port 41, moist heated air can flow through. In addition, moisture discharge ports 41 to which moisture discharge pipe 5 is not connected are provided with lids 45 that entirely cover the moisture discharge ports 41, preventing moist heated air from flowing through. Therefore, the clothes dryer 7 having the above configuration can be installed without providing any extra piping outside the clothes dryer 7, similar to the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0035] (Installation of clothes dryer according to the second embodiment) Next, the installation of the clothes dryer 7 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0036] The moisture exhaust pipe 5 shown in Figure 8 is installed and fixed to the ceiling in advance. As shown in Figure 8, one moisture exhaust outlet 41 to be connected to the moisture exhaust pipe 5 is selected. The moisture exhaust outlet 41 not to be connected to the moisture exhaust pipe 5 is closed with a lid 45. After that, the clothes dryer 7 is moved closer to the moisture exhaust pipe 5 while aligning the moisture exhaust pipe 5 with the moisture exhaust outlet 41. As shown in Figure 6, the installation work of the clothes dryer 7 is completed when the moisture exhaust pipe 5 and the moisture exhaust outlet 41 are connected and fixed.

[0037] (Overall configuration of a modified example of the clothes dryer according to the second embodiment) Next, a clothes dryer 7', which is a modified example of the clothes dryer 7 according to the second embodiment, will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the clothes dryer 7'. As shown in FIG. 9, the second moisture discharge path 44 of the clothes dryer 7' differs from that of the clothes dryer 7 in that it has an angular C-shape in plan view. Below, the clothes dryer 7' will be described, but a description of the same configuration as the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment and the clothes dryer 7 according to the second embodiment will be omitted.

[0038] 10, the moisture exhaust pipe 5 is cylindrical and is a pipe for discharging heated air containing moisture generated inside the clothes dryer 7' to the outdoors through the moisture exhaust port 41, and is installed on a wall or ceiling facing the outdoors. Although not shown, the inner periphery of the moisture exhaust pipe 5 has a structure that allows it to fit into a moisture exhaust port guide installed in the moisture exhaust port 41.

[0039] In the clothes dryer 7' having the above configuration, any one of the moisture exhaust ports 41 is selected to match the position of the moisture exhaust pipe 5, and the moisture exhaust pipe 5 is connected to the moisture exhaust port 41, thereby allowing the flow of humid heated air. In addition, the moisture exhaust port 41 to which the moisture exhaust pipe 5 is not connected is provided with a lid 45 that covers the entire moisture exhaust port 41, preventing the flow of humid heated air. Therefore, the clothes dryer 7' having the above configuration can be attached without providing any extra piping outside the clothes dryer 7', similar to the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0040] (Modification of clothes dryer according to the second embodiment) Next, the installation of a clothes dryer 7', which is a modified example of the clothes dryer 7 according to the second embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0041] The moisture exhaust pipe 5 shown in Figure 11 is installed and fixed to the ceiling in advance. As shown in Figure 11, one moisture exhaust outlet 41 to be connected to the moisture exhaust pipe 5 is selected. The moisture exhaust outlet 41 not to be connected to the moisture exhaust pipe 5 is closed with a lid 45. After that, the clothes dryer 7' is moved closer to the moisture exhaust pipe 5 while aligning the positions of the moisture exhaust pipe 5 and the moisture exhaust outlet 41. As shown in Figure 9, the installation work of the clothes dryer 7' is completed when the moisture exhaust pipe 5 and the moisture exhaust outlet 41 are connected and fixed.

[0042] (Overall configuration of the clothes dryer according to the third embodiment) Next, the configuration of a clothes dryer 8 according to a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the clothes dryer 8. As shown in FIG. 12, the clothes dryer 8 has a second moisture discharge path 44 that includes a horizontal path formed by a hollow member with a flat space that is longer in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction. The clothes dryer 8 also differs from the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment, the clothes dryer 7 according to the second embodiment, and a clothes dryer 7' that is a modified version of the clothes dryer 7, in that it includes a plate-like member 47c that forms the upper surface of the horizontal path as a moisture discharge port position defining member, and the moisture discharge path 42 does not include a rotation mechanism 46. The clothes dryer 8 will be described below, but descriptions of components similar to those of the clothes dryer 1, the clothes dryer 7, and the clothes dryer 7' will be omitted.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 12, clothes dryer 8 has moisture desorption path 42, which is composed of first moisture desorption path 43, which has one end connected to rotating drum 31 and extends vertically, and second moisture desorption path 44, which has a horizontal path formed by a hollow member with a flat space that is longer horizontally than vertically. As shown in Fig. 12, second moisture desorption path 44 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is located at the upper interior part of exterior part 2. The upper end of first moisture desorption path 43 is connected to the bottom surface of second moisture desorption path 44. In addition, the upper surface of second moisture desorption path 44 is provided with plate-like member 47c as a moisture desorption port position defining member, and plate-like member 47c has opening 48, which has the same shape and size as moisture desorption port 41, formed at an arbitrary position and provided on the upper surface of second moisture desorption path 44.

[0044] 13, the moisture exhaust pipe 5 is cylindrical and is a pipe for discharging heated air containing moisture generated inside the clothes dryer 8 to the outdoors through the moisture exhaust port 41, and is installed on a wall or ceiling facing the outdoors. Although not shown, the inner periphery of the moisture exhaust pipe 5 has a structure that allows it to fit into a moisture exhaust port guide installed in the moisture exhaust port 41.

[0045] In the clothes dryer 8 having the above configuration, the position of the moisture dehumidification outlet 41 connected to the moisture dehumidification pipe 5 can be determined by selecting the plate-shaped member 47c having the moisture dehumidification outlet 41 formed at an arbitrary position according to the position where the moisture dehumidification pipe 5 is provided. Then, by connecting the moisture dehumidification pipe 5 and the moisture dehumidification outlet 41, the heated air containing moisture can flow. Therefore, the clothes dryer 8 having the above configuration can be installed without providing any extra piping outside the clothes dryer 8, similar to the clothes dryer 1 of the first embodiment.

[0046] (Installation of the clothes dryer according to the third embodiment) Next, the installation of the clothes dryer 8 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0047] The moisture exhaust pipe 5 shown in Fig. 14 is installed and fixed to the ceiling in advance. As shown in Fig. 14, the clothes dryer 8 is then brought close to the moisture exhaust pipe 5 while aligning the positions of the moisture exhaust pipe 5 and the moisture exhaust port 41. As shown in Fig. 12, the installation work of the clothes dryer 8 is completed when the moisture exhaust pipe 5 and the moisture exhaust port 41 are connected and fixed.

[0048] <Another embodiment>

[0049] (1) The clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment is configured to have two moisture exhaust ports 41, but is not limited to this and any number of moisture exhaust ports 41 may be provided.

[0050] (2) In the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment, the moisture exhaust path exterior part 21 is configured to be located at the upper left when viewed from the front of the exterior part 2, but this is not limited to this and may also be configured to be located at the upper right when viewed from the front of the exterior part 2.

[0051] (3) In the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment, and the clothes dryer 7 and clothes dryer 7′ according to the second embodiment, the lid 45 that covers the entire moisture exhaust port 41 is given as an example of the lid portion, but this is not limited to this, and the lid portion may be a lid-like member formed in the same shape and size as the moisture exhaust port 41, or a sliding cover that covers the entire moisture exhaust port 41.

[0052] (4) In the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment, the rotation mechanism 46 is shown, but the structure is not limited thereto as long as the second moisture desorption path 44 is rotatable along an axis in the vertical direction relative to the other end of the first moisture desorption path 43. For example, the rotation mechanism 46 may be configured to have a bearing or a packing. A swivel joint or a rotary joint may be used as a structure having a bearing. A structure having a packing may be configured to use a packing and a nut, and rotate the one-end vertical portion 49 at the location of the packing to rotate the second moisture desorption path 44. Alternatively, the rotation mechanism 46 may have a ball-shaped mechanism, and the one-end vertical portion 49 may be rotated by rotating the ball.

[0053] (5) The horizontal path of the second moisture decompression path 44 is configured to have a rectangular shape in a plan view in the clothes dryer 7, and is configured to have an angular C-shape in a plan view in the clothes dryer 7'. The shape of the horizontal path in a plan view is not limited to these shapes as long as the vertical paths 47b of the moisture decompression path 42 can be connected to all of the moisture decompression ports 41. For example, the horizontal path may be ring-shaped, L-shaped, T-shaped, or the like in a plan view. Furthermore, the vertical paths 47b are provided on the horizontal path, and the moisture decompression ports 41 are not limited to these shapes as long as they are provided at positions corresponding to the vertical paths 47b, and can be formed at any position.

[0054] (6) In the clothes dryer 8 according to the third embodiment, the second moisture desorption path 44 is a horizontal path that is a rectangular parallelepiped. However, the second moisture desorption path 44 may have any shape that allows it to be connected to the first moisture desorption path 43 and the moisture desorption port 41, and may be a polyhedron or a pyramid. Examples of polyhedrons include cubes, inverted pyramids, and truncated pyramids. Examples of pyramids include truncated cones. Furthermore, the second moisture desorption path 44 may be arranged in a manner that covers the entire surface of the clothes dryer 8 in a plan view.

[0055] (7) In the clothes dryer 8 according to the third embodiment, the plate-shaped member 47c is configured as the upper surface of the second dehumidification path 44, but this is not limited to this as long as it completely covers the upper surface of the second dehumidification path 44, and it may also be the upper surface of the exterior part 2.

[0056] (8) 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 so that it is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the exterior part 2.

[0057] (9) 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.

[0058] 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]

[0059] 1, 7, 7', 8: Clothes dryer 2:Exterior part 5: Drain pipe 31: Rotating drum 34: Moisture exhaust fan 41:Drainage port 42: Moisture drainage route 43: First moisture exhaust route 44: Second moisture exhaust route 45: Lid (lid part) 47a: Vertical portion on the other end (moisture discharge port position defining member) 47b: Vertical path (moisture outlet position defining member) 47c: Plate-shaped member (moisture exhaust port position defining member) 48: Opening 49: Vertical part at one end

Claims

1. an exterior part having a moisture exhaust port on an upper surface; a rotating drum for storing and drying clothes; a moisture exhaust path through which heated air containing moisture generated in the rotary drum flows; a dehumidification fan that exhausts the heated air to the outside of the exterior part through the rotating drum and the dehumidification path, the rotating drum, the moisture exhaust path, and the moisture exhaust fan are disposed inside the exterior part, The moisture desorption path includes a first moisture desorption path having one end connected to the rotary drum and extending in a vertical direction, and a second moisture desorption path having the other end connected to the first moisture desorption path and extending in a horizontal direction, a moisture discharge port position defining member that defines a connection position between the moisture discharge port, to which a moisture discharge pipe is connected from the exterior side of the exterior portion, and the second moisture discharge path.

2. A plurality of the moisture exhaust ports are formed, the second moisture removal path is a tubular member and includes a horizontal path formed in a circular, rectangular, or angular C-shape in plan view; a plurality of vertical paths extending vertically from the lateral path are provided as the moisture discharge port position defining members at positions corresponding to the plurality of moisture discharge ports, 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein, among the plurality of moisture exhaust ports, the moisture exhaust port to which the moisture exhaust pipe is connected is in a state in which the moisture exhaust pipe and one of the plurality of vertical paths can communicate with each other, and the moisture exhaust ports other than the moisture exhaust port to which the moisture exhaust pipe is connected are provided with lids that close the moisture exhaust ports, thereby preventing communication therebetween.

3. the second moisture desorption path includes a lateral path formed by a hollow member having a flat space that is longer in the lateral direction than in the vertical direction, a plate-shaped member that forms an upper surface of the lateral path as the moisture discharge port position defining member; 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the moisture exhaust port to which the moisture exhaust pipe is connected is configured so that the moisture exhaust pipe and an opening formed in the plate-like member can communicate with each other.

4. A plurality of the moisture exhaust ports are formed, the second dehumidification path is formed by a straight pipe member extending laterally, one end of the straight pipe member is connected in communication with the other end of the first moisture desorption path and has a one-end vertical portion extending in a vertical direction, and the one-end vertical portion is connected to the other end of the first moisture desorption path so as to be rotatable along an axis in a vertical direction, The moisture discharge port position defining member includes an other end vertical portion extending in the up-down direction at the other end of the straight pipe member, 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein, among the plurality of moisture exhaust ports, the moisture exhaust port to which the moisture exhaust pipe is connected is in a state in which the moisture exhaust pipe and the vertical portion on the other end side can communicate with each other, and the moisture exhaust ports other than the moisture exhaust port to which the moisture exhaust pipe is connected are provided with lids that close the moisture exhaust ports, thereby preventing communication therebetween.

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