Clothes dryer

The clothes dryer's internal space and rear-mounted exhaust port design facilitates easy installation and removal, addressing space constraints and maintaining aesthetics while preventing humid air ingress.

JP2025124387APending Publication Date: 2025-08-26OSAKA GAS CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024020400
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-02-14
Publication Date
2025-08-26

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Abstract

To provide a clothes dryer which allows equipment to be removed / mounted even without an upper space of the clothes dryer, and which has excellent appearance.SOLUTION: A clothes dryer 1 includes: an exterior part 2 having a humidity exhaust port 41; a rotary drum 31; a humidity exhaust path 42 where heating air containing humidity generated in the rotary drum 31 circulates; and a humidity exhaust fan 34 for exhausting the heating air to the outside of the exterior part 2 via the rotary drum 31 and the humidity exhaust path 42. It also includes: an inspection port 47 communicated with an internal space 46 of the exterior part 2; and a detachable inspection lid 48 for covering the inspection port 47. The humidity exhaust path 42 includes a connection structure in which one end is communicated and connected with the rotary drum 31 and the other end is communicated and connected with the humidity exhaust port 41 of the exterior part 2, and, in a state where a connection member mounted on a humidity exhaust pipe 5 or the humidity exhaust port 41 is positioned in a position corresponding to the humidity exhaust port 41 from the outside of the exterior part 2, the connection member can be connected and fixed to the humidity exhaust port 41 from the internal space 46 side of the exterior part 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clothes dryer having an exhaust / dehumidification 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 improve the ease of handling a washing machine, it is necessary to ensure sufficient 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 ease of installation makes installation requirements more stringent.

[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: an exterior portion having a moisture exhaust port; 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, An inspection hatch communicating with the internal space of the exterior portion and a detachable inspection lid covering the inspection hatch are provided, one end of the moisture exhaust path is connected to the rotary drum and the other end is connected to the moisture exhaust port of the exterior portion; The moisture exhaust pipe or the connecting member attached to the moisture exhaust port is provided with a connection structure that allows the connecting member to be connected and fixed to the moisture exhaust port from the internal space side of the exterior part, while being positioned at a position corresponding to the moisture exhaust port from the outside of the exterior part.

[0009] 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 exhaust path by a moisture exhaust fan installed in the moisture exhaust path, and then discharged outdoors through a moisture exhaust pipe connected to a moisture exhaust port installed in the exterior. However, if the space above or to the sides of the clothes dryer is small, installation is difficult. Furthermore, removal of the device is also difficult when the device breaks down or when replacing it.

[0010] According to the above characteristic configuration, an internal space is formed inside the exterior part, and the exterior part is provided with an inspection hatch that communicates with the internal space and a removable inspection lid that covers the inspection hatch. By removing the inspection lid, an operator can reach into the internal space of the exterior part through the inspection hatch. In addition, the moisture exhaust pipe or moisture exhaust port is provided with a connecting member, and a connection structure is provided that allows the connecting member to be connected and fixed at the moisture exhaust port from the internal space side. Therefore, an operator can reach into the internal space and connect and fix the connecting member to the exterior part from the internal space side, or release the connection and fixation. 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 connecting member is a moisture desorption pipe-side connecting member attached to the moisture desorption pipe.

[0012] According to the above-described characteristic configuration, the exterior part has a connection structure that enables the moisture exhaust pipe connecting member attached to the moisture exhaust pipe to be connected and fixed from the interior space side at a position corresponding to the moisture exhaust outlet. This makes it possible to reach into the interior space of the exterior part through the inspection hatch and connect and disconnect the moisture exhaust pipe connecting member and the moisture exhaust outlet from inside the clothes dryer.

[0013] Further characteristic configurations of the clothes dryer according to the present invention are as follows: The connecting member is a moisture discharge port side connecting member attached to the moisture discharge port.

[0014] According to the above-described characteristic configuration, the exterior part has a connection structure that allows the moisture exhaust port-side connecting member attached to the moisture exhaust port to be connected and fixed from the interior space side at a position corresponding to the moisture exhaust port. Therefore, it is possible to reach into the interior space of the exterior part through the inspection hatch and connect and disconnect the moisture exhaust port-side connecting member and the moisture exhaust port from the interior space side of the clothes dryer. In addition, it is also possible to connect and disconnect the moisture exhaust port-side connecting member and the exterior part from the interior space side of the clothes dryer.

[0015] Further characteristic configurations of the clothes dryer according to the present invention are as follows: the moisture exhaust port is disposed on a rear side of an upper surface of the exterior part in a plan view of the exterior part, At least a portion of the moisture discharge path connected to the moisture discharge port is disposed on a rear side within the internal space in a plan view of the exterior part, The inspection cover is disposed on the front side of the exterior portion.

[0016] When removing or installing a clothes dryer, the worker removes the inspection cover, reaches into the interior space through the inspection hatch, and connects and disconnects the moisture exhaust pipe connector and the moisture exhaust port from inside the clothes dryer. If a moisture exhaust path exists in the space from the inspection hatch to the part of the interior space corresponding to the moisture exhaust port, the worker's body will come into contact with the moisture exhaust path, making it difficult to connect and disconnect the moisture exhaust pipe connector and the moisture exhaust port. According to the above characteristic configuration, the moisture exhaust port is located on the rear side of the upper surface of the exterior part in a plan view. Furthermore, at least the portion of the moisture exhaust path connected to the moisture exhaust port is located on the rear side of the interior space in a plan view of the exterior part. The moisture exhaust path is configured to pass through the rear of the interior of the clothes dryer. Therefore, when an operator reaches into the interior space through the inspection hatch to connect or disconnect the moisture exhaust pipe connecting member and the moisture exhaust port, the operator's body does not come into contact with the moisture exhaust path. 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 internal space is located at either the upper left or upper right of the exterior part when viewed from the front of the exterior part.

[0018] In a clothes dryer in which the internal space is located at the upper left when viewed from the front of the exterior, the moisture exhaust port is located at the upper left at the rear when viewed from the top of the exterior. If the moisture exhaust pipe can only be installed at a position on the top surface of the exterior that corresponds to the rear right side, it will be difficult to connect and disconnect the moisture exhaust pipe connector to the moisture exhaust port. According to the above-described characteristic configuration, the internal space is located either at the upper left or upper right of the exterior part when viewed from the front. Therefore, it is possible to select a clothes dryer that has an internal space that corresponds to the position where the moisture exhaust pipe will be installed, and then perform the installation work. 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.

[0019] Further characteristic configurations of the clothes dryer according to the present invention are as follows: the moisture dehumidification path is an integrally formed pipe including a first moisture dehumidification path and a second moisture dehumidification path, one end of the first moisture discharge path is connected to the rotary drum on the front side and the other end extends rearward along the rotary drum, The second moisture desorption path is at least a portion of the moisture desorption path that is connected to the moisture desorption port, and has one end that is continuous with the first moisture desorption path and the other end that extends in the vertical direction.

[0020] When removing or installing a clothes dryer, the worker removes the inspection cover, reaches into the interior space through the inspection hatch, and connects and disconnects the moisture exhaust pipe connector and the moisture exhaust port from inside the clothes dryer. If a moisture exhaust path exists in the space from the inspection hatch to the part of the interior space corresponding to the moisture exhaust port, the worker's body will come into contact with the moisture exhaust path, making it difficult to connect and disconnect the moisture exhaust pipe connector and the moisture exhaust port. According to the above configuration, the moisture discharge path is an integrally formed pipe composed of a first moisture discharge path and a second moisture discharge path. One end of the first moisture discharge path is connected to the front side of the rotating drum, and the other end extends rearward along the rotating drum. The second moisture discharge path is at least a portion of the moisture discharge path that is connected to the moisture discharge port, and one end is continuous with the first moisture discharge path and the other end extends vertically. The moisture discharge path is configured to pass through the rear of the interior of the clothes dryer. Therefore, when an operator reaches into the interior space through the inspection hatch to connect or disconnect the moisture discharge pipe side connecting member and the moisture discharge port, the operator's body does not come into contact with the moisture discharge path. 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.

[0021] Further characteristic configurations of the clothes dryer according to the present invention are as follows: the dehumidification path is an integrally formed pipe including a first dehumidification path, a second dehumidification path, and a third dehumidification path; one end of the first moisture discharge path is connected to the rotary drum on the front side and the other end extends rearward along the rotary drum, the second moisture desorption path is a path that is at least a portion of the moisture desorption path that is connected to the moisture desorption port, and the other end of the second moisture desorption path extends horizontally; The third moisture desorption path has one end connected to the first moisture desorption path and the other end connected to the second moisture desorption path.

[0022] When removing or installing a clothes dryer, the worker removes the inspection cover, reaches into the interior space through the inspection hatch, and connects and disconnects the moisture exhaust pipe connector and the moisture exhaust port from inside the clothes dryer. If a moisture exhaust path exists in the space from the inspection hatch to the part of the interior space corresponding to the moisture exhaust port, the worker's body will come into contact with the moisture exhaust path, making it difficult to connect and disconnect the moisture exhaust pipe connector and the moisture exhaust port. According to the above configuration, the moisture desorption path is an integrally formed pipe composed of a first moisture desorption path, a second moisture desorption path, and a third moisture desorption path. One end of the first moisture desorption path is connected to the front side of the rotating drum, and the other end extends rearward along the rotating drum. The second moisture desorption path is at least a portion of the moisture desorption path that is connected to the moisture desorption port, and the other end extends horizontally. One end of the third moisture desorption path is connected to the first moisture desorption path, and the other end is connected to the second moisture desorption path. The moisture desorption path is configured to pass through the rear of the interior of the clothes dryer. Therefore, when an operator reaches into the interior space through the inspection hatch to connect or disconnect the moisture desorption pipe-side connecting member and the moisture desorption port, the operator's body does not come into contact with the moisture desorption path. 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]

[0023] [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]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the connection between the moisture exhaust pipe and the moisture exhaust port guide. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the clothes dryer according to the first embodiment attached to a moisture exhaust pipe. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram showing an inspection cover attached to the clothes dryer according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a clothes dryer according to a second embodiment attached to a moisture exhaust pipe. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a part of a front cross-sectional view of a clothes dryer according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] 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.

[0025] (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.

[0026] 1, the exterior part 2 is provided inside with a rotary drum 31, a moisture exhaust path 42, and a moisture exhaust fan 34. On the top surface of the exterior part 2, a moisture exhaust port 41 is arranged.

[0027] The rotating drum 31 has a cylindrical shape and is positioned sideways so that its front is 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 side on the lower left 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.

[0028] Dehumidification path 42 is provided on the left side of rotating drum 31 when viewed from the front of clothes dryer 1, and passes through heated air containing moisture generated in rotating drum 31. Dehumidification path 42 is an integrally formed pipe and is composed of first dehumidification path 43 and second dehumidification path 44. One end of first dehumidification path 43 is connected to the front side of rotating drum 31, and the other end extends rearward along rotating drum 31. Second dehumidification path 44 has one end continuous with first dehumidification path 43 and the other end extending in the vertical direction so as to connect to moisture discharge port 41. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , dehumidification path 42 has a horizontal portion that extends horizontally rearward along rotating drum 31, and the horizontal portion does not exist within internal space 46.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The moisture dewatering port 41 is provided at the rear of the upper surface of the exterior part 2 in a plan view of the exterior part 2. A pair of holes 52 are formed around the periphery of the moisture dewatering port 41 at positions facing each other across the moisture dewatering port 41 in a plan view. Screws 53 serving as fasteners are threadedly engaged with female threads 51a (an example of a connecting structure) formed in the moisture dewatering port guide 51 (an example of a moisture dewatering pipe-side connecting member) through the holes 52, thereby enabling the moisture dewatering pipe 5 to which the moisture dewatering port guide 51 is attached to be connected and fixed at the position of the moisture dewatering port 41.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 2, exterior part 2 has internal space 46 at the upper left when viewed from the front. As shown in Fig. 1, clothes dryer 1 has inspection hatch 47 at the front that communicates with internal space 46, and is equipped with removable inspection lid 48 that entirely covers inspection hatch 47. Inspection lid 48 is provided with locking hole 49, and is configured so that inspection lid 48 can be attached and detached to clothes dryer 1 via locking hole 49 using a fastener.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 3, the moisture dehumidification pipe 5 is cylindrical and is a pipe for discharging heated air containing moisture generated inside the clothes dryer 1 from the moisture dehumidification port 41 to the outdoors. A moisture dehumidification port guide 51 is attached to the moisture dehumidification pipe 5 for connecting and fixing the pipe at the position of the moisture dehumidification port 41. The moisture dehumidification port guide 51 is cylindrical and is configured so that the inner periphery of the moisture dehumidification pipe 5 and the outer periphery of the cylindrical part of the moisture dehumidification port guide 51 can fit together. A flange is formed on the end of the moisture dehumidification port guide 51. A pair of female threads 51a for connecting and fixing the moisture dehumidification port guide 51 at the position of the moisture dehumidification port 41 are formed on the flange at positions facing each other across the flange in a plan view.

[0033] 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 by moisture exhaust fan 34 through moisture exhaust path 42 and forcibly exhausted to the outside through moisture exhaust port 41.

[0034] An internal space 46 is formed inside the exterior part 2, and work can be performed in the internal space 46 through an inspection hatch 47. The moisture discharge path 42 is formed so that there are no horizontal portions of the path 42 within the internal space 46. This allows the worker to connect and disconnect the moisture discharge port guide 51 and the moisture discharge port 41 without touching the moisture discharge path 42. The moisture discharge port guide 51 is attached to the moisture discharge pipe 5, and the exterior part 2 is provided with a hole 52 as a connection structure, so that the moisture discharge port guide 51 and the moisture discharge port 41 can be connected and fixed at the position of the moisture discharge port 41. Therefore, even if there is no space above the clothes dryer 1, the clothes dryer 1 can be easily attached and detached.

[0035] (How to install clothes dryer 1) The method of installing clothes dryer 1 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Moisture exhaust port guide 51 is connected to moisture exhaust pipe 5 that has been installed in advance on the ceiling of the location where clothes dryer 1 is to be installed.

[0036] While aligning the positions of the moisture exhaust pipe 5 and the moisture exhaust outlet 41, the clothes dryer 1 is brought close to the moisture exhaust pipe 5. Next, a hand is reached into the interior space 46 through the inspection hatch 47, and a screw 53 is used from the inside of the clothes dryer 1 to thread into the female thread portion 51a through the hole 52, thereby connecting and fixing the moisture exhaust outlet guide 51 and the moisture exhaust outlet 41. As shown in Figure 5, the installation work of the clothes dryer 1 is completed by attaching the inspection cover 48 to the clothes dryer 1.

[0037] Furthermore, if the clothes dryer 1 malfunctions or needs to be replaced, the clothes dryer 1 can be easily removed by unfastening the fasteners in the locking holes 49, removing the inspection cover 48, and disconnecting the moisture exhaust port guide 51 in the interior space 46 from the moisture exhaust port 41 through the inspection opening 47. This allows for a large space to be used for maintenance work on the clothes dryer 1 or to install a new clothes dryer 1.

[0038] This makes it easy to install and remove the device even if there is no space above the clothes dryer 1. If there is ample space to install the clothes dryer 1, the moisture exhaust pipe 5 can be connected to the clothes dryer 1 from above the clothes dryer 1, just like installing a regular clothes dryer.

[0039] (Overall configuration of the clothes dryer according to the second embodiment) Next, the configuration of a clothes dryer 6 according to a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a clothes dryer 6 according to a third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the clothes dryer 6 differs from the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment in that a moisture discharge port-side connecting member 54 is provided at the moisture discharge port 41. The clothes dryer 6 according to the second embodiment will be described below, but a description of the same configuration as the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6 , a moisture dewatering port-side connecting member 54 is provided on the moisture dewatering port 41. Three holes 52 are formed on the periphery of the moisture dewatering port 41. The moisture dewatering port-side connecting member 54 is made of a plate-like member having a substantially semicircular arc shape. A through hole of a size corresponding to the moisture dewatering port 41 is formed in the substantially semicircular arc-shaped plate-like member. The inner diameter of the through hole in the moisture dewatering port-side connecting member 54 is formed to be the same as the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion of the moisture dewatering port guide 51. The moisture dewatering port-side connecting member 54 is also formed with an internal thread portion 54a (an example of a connecting structure) at a position corresponding to the hole 52 formed on the periphery of the moisture dewatering port 41. A screw 53 serving as a fastener is threadedly engaged with the internal thread portion 54a through the hole 52, thereby enabling the moisture dewatering port-side connecting member 54 to be connected and fixed at the position of the moisture dewatering port 41.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 , the moisture dehumidification port side connecting member 54 is formed with a pair of female threads 54a at positions inside the female threads 54a formed in positions corresponding to the holes 52 formed in the periphery of the moisture dehumidification port 41, and at positions facing each other across the through hole in plan view, and the female threads 54a are threadedly engaged with the female threads 51a of the moisture dehumidification port guide 51 with screws 53, thereby enabling the moisture dehumidification port side connecting member 54 and the moisture dehumidification port guide 51 to be connected. In addition, the moisture exhaust port side connecting member 54 is configured so that it can be attached to either the external side of the exterior part 2 or the internal side of the exterior part 2 at a position corresponding to the moisture exhaust port 41 from the internal space 46.

[0042] The clothes dryer 6 having the above configuration can be easily attached and detached even if there is not enough space above the clothes dryer 6.

[0043] (How to install clothes dryer 6) The method of installing clothes dryer 6 will be described with reference to Figure 6. Moisture exhaust port guide 51 is connected to moisture exhaust pipe 5, which has been installed in advance on the ceiling where clothes dryer 6 will be installed. Moisture exhaust port side connecting member 54 is attached at a position corresponding to moisture exhaust port 41 of clothes dryer 6 by threading screw 53 into female thread portion 54a through hole 52 from the side of internal space 46.

[0044] While aligning moisture exhaust port guide 51 and moisture exhaust port side connecting member 54, clothes dryer 6 is brought close to moisture exhaust port guide 51. Next, a hand is reached into internal space 46 through inspection hatch 47, and screw 53 is used from the inside of clothes dryer 6 through hole 52 to thread into female thread portion 51a, thereby connecting and fixing moisture exhaust port side connecting member 54 to moisture exhaust port guide 51 at the position of moisture exhaust pipe 5. Next, inspection lid 48 is attached to clothes dryer 6, completing the installation work of clothes dryer 6.

[0045] When removing the clothes dryer 6, a hand is reached into the interior space 46 through the inspection hatch 47 and the clothes dryer 6 is removed by operating the screw 53 from inside the clothes dryer 6. By releasing the engagement between the screw 53 and the female thread 54a, the connection between the clothes dryer 6 and the moisture exhaust port side connecting member 54 is released, and the clothes dryer 6 can be removed. It is also possible to release the connection between the moisture exhaust port guide 51 and the moisture exhaust port side connecting member 54 and remove the clothes dryer 6 with the moisture exhaust port side connecting member 54 attached to the clothes dryer 6.

[0046] (Overall configuration of the clothes dryer according to the third embodiment) Next, the configuration of a clothes dryer 7 according to a third embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the clothes dryer 7 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the clothes dryer 7 differs from the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment in that a moisture exhaust port 41 is provided on the side surface of the exterior part 2, a second moisture exhaust path 44 extends horizontally, and a third moisture exhaust path 45 is provided. The clothes dryer 7 according to the second embodiment will be described below, but a description of the same configuration as the clothes dryer 1 according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7 , moisture desorption port 41 is provided on the side surface of exterior part 2. In addition, moisture desorption pipe 5 is installed on the wall on the side of clothes dryer 7. Moisture desorption path 42 is made up of first moisture desorption path 43, second moisture desorption path 44, and third moisture desorption path 45. One end of first moisture desorption path 43 is connected to the front side of rotating drum 31 and extends rearward along the side of rotating drum 31. Second moisture desorption path 44 is connected to moisture desorption port 41 and has the other end extending horizontally. One end of third moisture desorption path 45 is joined to first moisture desorption path 43 and the other end is connected to second moisture desorption path 44.

[0048] The clothes dryer 7 having the above-described configuration can be attached and detached even when there is not enough space above and to the sides of the clothes dryer 7.

[0049] <Another embodiment>

[0050] (1) In the above embodiment, inspection hatch 47 is provided on the front of clothes dryer 1, 6, 7, but this is not limitative and inspection hatch 47 may be provided on the top or side of clothes dryer 1, 6, 7.

[0051] (2) In the above embodiment, the fastener is operated from the interior space 46 of the clothes dryer 1, 6 to connect the moisture exhaust pipe 5 and the moisture exhaust outlet 41, but if there is sufficient space above the clothes dryer 1, the fastener may be used from above the clothes dryer 1, 6 to connect the moisture exhaust outlet guide 51 and the moisture exhaust outlet 41. Also, although the fastener is a screw 53, it is not limited to this and clips, screws, or nuts may also be used.

[0052] (3) In the first embodiment, two holes 52 are provided, and in the second embodiment, three holes 52 are provided, but this is not limited to this, and any number of holes 52 can be provided.

[0053] (4) 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.

[0054] (5) 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.

[0055] 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]

[0056] 1, 6, 7: 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: Third moisture drainage route 46: Interior space 47: Inspection hatch 48: Inspection cover 51: Moisture exhaust port guide (connecting member on the moisture exhaust pipe side) 51a: Female thread portion (connection structure) 54: Moisture exhaust port side connection member 54a: Female thread portion (connection structure)

Claims

1. an exterior portion having a moisture exhaust port; 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, An inspection hatch communicating with the internal space of the exterior portion and a detachable inspection lid covering the inspection hatch are provided, one end of the moisture exhaust path is connected to the rotary drum and the other end is connected to the moisture exhaust port of the exterior portion; A clothes dryer having a connection structure that can connect and fix a connection member attached to a moisture exhaust pipe or the moisture exhaust port from the internal space side of the exterior part, with the connection member being positioned at a position corresponding to the moisture exhaust port from the outside of the exterior part.

2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting member is a moisture exhaust pipe-side connecting member attached to the moisture exhaust pipe.

3. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting member is a moisture discharge port-side connecting member attached to the moisture discharge port.

4. the moisture exhaust port is disposed on a rear side of an upper surface of the exterior part in a plan view of the exterior part, At least a portion of the moisture discharge path connected to the moisture discharge port is disposed on a rear side within the internal space in a plan view of the exterior part, The clothes dryer according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the inspection cover is disposed on a front side of the exterior portion.

5. The clothes dryer according to claim 4 , wherein the internal space is located at either the upper left or upper right of the exterior portion when viewed from the front of the exterior portion.

6. the dehumidification path is an integrally formed pipe including a first dehumidification path and a second dehumidification path, one end of the first moisture removal path is connected to the rotary drum on the front side and the other end extends rearward along the rotary drum, 6. The clothes dryer according to claim 5, wherein the second dehumidification path is at least a portion of the dehumidification path that is connected to the dehumidification outlet, and one end of the second dehumidification path is continuous with the first dehumidification path and the other end extends in the vertical direction.

7. the dehumidification path is an integrally formed pipe including a first dehumidification path, a second dehumidification path, and a third dehumidification path, one end of the first moisture removal path is connected to the rotary drum on the front side and the other end extends rearward along the rotary drum, the second moisture desorption path is a path that is at least a portion of the moisture desorption path that is connected to the moisture desorption port, and the other end of the second moisture desorption path extends horizontally; The clothes dryer according to claim 5 , wherein one end of the third moisture desorption path is continuous with the first moisture desorption path and the other end is continuous with the second moisture desorption path.

Citation Information

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