Dryer

Abstract

To provide a dryer capable of improving convenience.SOLUTION: A dryer includes: a case which extends in an axial direction, and which includes an intake port provided on one side in the axial direction and a discharge port provided on the other side in the axial direction; a blower unit which is accommodated in the case, and which takes in air through the intake port and sends the air toward the discharge port; and a heating unit which is accommodated in the case, and which heats the air sent from the blower unit. The intake port, the blower unit, the heating unit, and the discharge port are arranged in the axial direction in this order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drying appliance. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of drying appliances are known for drying bedding, clothes, shoes, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses, for example, a bedding dryer.

[0003] The futon dryer does not use an air mattress and is equipped with an exterior body having an intake section located at one end and an exhaust section located at the other end, with an intake port formed in the intake section and an exhaust port formed in the exhaust section, an air passage provided within the exterior body and connecting the intake port and the exhaust port, an air blowing means disposed within the air passage for drawing in outside air through the intake port and discharging it from the exhaust port, and a heating means disposed within the air passage for heating the outside air drawn in by the air blowing means, and which directly discharges heated warm air from the exhaust port, and the heating means is disposed within a heater case that constitutes the air passage, the lower wall of the heater case facing closely to the bottom wall of the exterior body, and the bottom surface of the bottom wall is a flat surface with no protrusions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6018655 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When using a dryer, the user must prepare the dryer by transporting it to the desired location and setting it up. If the dryer is large, these procedures can be time-consuming. Therefore, there is a demand for a dryer that can be easily handled by the user.

[0006] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a drying device that can improve convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A drying appliance according to one aspect of the present invention includes a case extending in an axial direction and having an air intake port provided on one side in the axial direction and an air outlet provided on the other side in the axial direction, a blower unit housed in the case and configured to draw air through the air intake port and blow the air toward the air outlet, and a heating unit housed in the case and heat the air sent from the air blower unit. The air intake port, the air blower unit, the heating unit, and the air outlet are arranged in this order along the axial direction.

[0008] The drying device may further include a control unit housed in the case between the air intake and the air blowing unit and configured to control the air blowing unit and the heating unit. The case may have a tubular shape extending in the axial direction. The case may have a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction.

[0009] The air intake may penetrate the case in a direction intersecting the axial direction. The air outlet may open in the axial direction. The blower unit may include a fan having a rotation axis along the axial direction, and the fan may form the air flow that flows along the rotation axis.

[0010] The blower unit may further include a motor housed in the case between the fan and the heating unit and connected to the rotary shaft. The drying appliance may further include an ozone generating unit having an ozone generating unit housed in the case between the blower unit and the outlet. The wind speed of the air discharged from the outlet may be 10 meters per second or more. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a drying device that can improve convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a drying device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a drying device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a drying device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the first end shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the first end shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the second end shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drying equipment taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing part VIII shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a blower unit included in a drying appliance according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the blower unit shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a heating unit included in a drying appliance according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the heating unit shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a state in which the drying device is installed. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a graph showing the temperature change of the futon when a dryer is used. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the temperature distribution when a futon dryer according to a comparative example is used. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the temperature distribution when a drying device is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For clarity of explanation, the size and shape of each part in the drawings may be changed from those of the actual embodiment.

[0014] In this embodiment, a drying appliance that can be mainly applied to futons is disclosed as an example of a drying appliance, but the configuration disclosed in this embodiment, particularly the arrangement of each component, can also be applied to other types of drying appliances.

[0015] 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views of a drying appliance 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the drying appliance 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the first end 1a shown in Fig. 1.

[0016] Fig. 5 is a schematic side view showing the first end 1a shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a schematic side view showing the second end 1b shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drying appliance 100 taken along line VII-VII shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the drying appliance 100 is viewed from a direction different from that in Fig. 1.

[0017] 1 and 2, the drying device 100 has a shape extending along an axis line CX. Here, the direction along the axis line CX is defined as an axial direction X. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the drying device 100 includes a case 1, a blower unit 2, a heating unit 3, and a control unit 4.

[0018] The blower unit 2, the heating unit 3, and the control unit 4 are each housed in a case 1. The drying device 100 is configured so that power can be supplied from an external source via a power cable 5.

[0019] Case 1 has a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. For example, case 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on axis CX and extending in the axial direction X. In other words, case 1 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape of case 1 may be elliptical or may be a polygonal shape such as a rectangle.

[0020] Here, the cross-sectional shape of case 1 refers to the shape of a cross section perpendicular to axis CX. The diameter (outer diameter) of case 1 is, for example, about 35 mm to about 50 mm. The length of case 1 in axial direction X is, for example, about 250 mm to about 350 mm.

[0021] 1 and 2, the case 1 has a first end 1a provided on one side of the axial direction X and a second end 1b provided on the other side of the axial direction X. In FIG. 5, the first end 1a is viewed in the axial direction X. In FIG. 6, the second end 1b is viewed in the opposite direction of the axial direction X.

[0022] The second end 1b corresponds to the opposite side of the first end 1a in the axial direction X. Here, the end includes the end and the area nearby. The power cable 5 extends from the first end 1a to the outside of the case 1 in the opposite direction of the axial direction X.

[0023] The case 1 further has an intake port 11 and an exhaust port 13. The intake port 11 is provided at the first end 1a, and the exhaust port 13 is provided at the second end 1b. The intake port 11 penetrates the case 1 in a direction intersecting the axial direction X, and the exhaust port 13 opens in the axial direction X.

[0024] Air is drawn into intake port 11 mainly in a direction intersecting axial direction X. In contrast, air is discharged from outlet port 13 to the outside of case 1 along axial direction X. In other words, the direction in which air is drawn into intake port 11 intersects with the direction in which air is discharged from outlet port 13. In case 1, first end 1a corresponds to the upstream side, and second end 1b corresponds to the downstream side.

[0025] The case 1 is made up of, for example, multiple components. The components that make up the case 1 are each made of, for example, a resin material, but may also include a portion made of a metal material. In the example shown in Figure 3, the case 1 includes an inner case 21 and an outer case 22 that covers the inner case 21.

[0026] The inner case 21 and the outer case 22 each have a generally cylindrical shape centered on the axis CX and extending in the axial direction X. The inner case 21 has a first member 23 and a second member 24. The outer case 22 has a third member 25 and a fourth member 26.

[0027] 3, the members 23 and 24 have shapes that are curved away from each other when viewed in the axial direction X. The second member 24 overlaps the first member 23, thereby forming the inner case 21 into a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0028] A housing section 15 is defined between the first member 23 and the second member 24 to house the blower unit 2, the heating unit 3, and the control unit 4. The housing section 15 has an elongated shape along the axial direction X. A plurality of supports are provided on the inner surfaces of the members 23 and 24 to support the housed units and the like.

[0029] The first member 23 has an end 23a and an end 23b opposite to the end 23a. The second member 24 has an end 24a and an end 24b opposite to the end 24a. The ends 23a and 24a are located on the first end 1a side, and the ends 23b and 24b are located on the second end 1b side.

[0030] The end portion 23a is provided with a plurality of intake portions 231 that penetrate the first member 23. The end portion 24a is provided with a plurality of intake portions 241 that penetrate the second member 24. The plurality of intake portions 231, 241 penetrate the members 23, 24 in a direction intersecting with the axial direction X.

[0031] The multiple intake sections 231, 241 are aligned in the circumferential direction θ (shown in FIG. 3) centered on the axis line CX, and are also aligned in the axial direction X. The area where the multiple intake sections 231 are formed faces, for example, the area where the multiple intake sections 241 are formed.

[0032] The intake sections 231, 241 have, for example, a substantially rectangular shape, but the shape of the intake sections 231, 241 is not limited to this example. The position, shape and number of the intake sections 231 of the first member 23 may be the same as or different from the position, shape and number of the intake sections 241 of the second member 24.

[0033] The second member 24 has, on its outer surface, a recess 243 recessed toward the axis line CX. The recess 243 is formed in an area overlapping with the control unit 4. The recess 243 has a predetermined length in the axial direction X. A plurality of through holes 245 are formed in the bottom surface of the recess 243, and an operation unit 45 (described later) is provided therein.

[0034] An outlet portion 211 is formed at the tip of the inner case 21 on the second end portion 1b side. The outlet portion 211 is defined by the ends 23b and 24b of the members 23 and 24. The outlet portion 211 opens in the axial direction X. The outlet portion 211 has a substantially circular shape when viewed in the direction opposite to the axial direction X.

[0035] The third member 25 is detachably attached to the inner case 21. The third member 25 can be attached to the inner case 21 by moving it along the axial direction X. In the case 1, for example, the area where the third member 25 is provided corresponds to the first end 1a.

[0036] The third member 25 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the third member 25 has a peripheral wall 251 and an end wall 253 connected to the peripheral wall 251. The peripheral wall 251 is formed integrally with the end wall 253, for example. The third member 25 further has a plurality of intake portions 255. The intake portions 255 are formed from the peripheral wall 251 to the end wall 253.

[0037] The intake section 255 has a first opening 2551 formed in the peripheral wall 251 and a second opening 2553 formed in the end wall 253. The first opening 2551 is connected to the second opening 2553.

[0038] The first opening 2551 penetrates the peripheral wall 251 in a direction intersecting the axial direction X. The first opening 2551 is formed in the peripheral wall 251 along the axial direction X. The first opening 2551 has a predetermined length in the axial direction X.

[0039] The second opening 2553 penetrates the end wall 253 in the axial direction X. The second opening 2553 is formed in the end wall 253 near the edge, as shown in Fig. 5. In other words, the second opening 2553 does not extend to the center of the end wall 253.

[0040] The multiple intake sections 255 are provided, for example, at equal intervals in the circumferential direction θ. In relation to the inner case 21, the multiple first openings 2551 overlap the intake sections 231, 241 of the inner case 21, respectively. The length of the first openings 2551 in the axial direction X is approximately equal to the length of the area of ​​the inner case 21 in which the multiple intake sections 231, 241 are formed, in the axial direction X.

[0041] The air intake 11 is formed by overlapping the multiple air intake sections 231, 241 of the inner case 21 with the multiple air intake sections 255 of the outer case 22. This allows the drying device 100 to draw air from the outside of the case 1 at the first end 1a along a direction intersecting the axial direction X (specifically, the direction toward the axis line CX). As shown in FIG. 5, the end wall 253 further has a through-hole 257 in the center through which the power cable 5 passes.

[0042] 3, the fourth member 26 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. The fourth member 26 covers the inner case 21. Specifically, the fourth member 26 covers the area of ​​the inner case 21 that is not covered by the third member 25. The fourth member 26 can be attached to the inner case 21 by moving it along the direction opposite to the axial direction X.

[0043] The fourth member 26 has an end portion 26b located on the second end portion 1b side. An end wall 261 is provided at the tip of the end portion 26b. As shown in Fig. 6, the end wall 261 is formed with a discharge portion 263. As a result, the fourth member 26 opens in the axial direction X at the end portion 26b.

[0044] 6, the outlet portion 263 has a substantially circular shape when viewed in the direction opposite to the axial direction X. The outlet portion 263 opens in a substantially circular shape. The diameter of the outlet portion 263 is, for example, 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less.

[0045] The discharge portion 211 of the inner case 21 and the discharge portion 263 of the fourth member 26 overlap when viewed in the opposite direction of the axial direction X. The discharge port 13 is formed by the discharge portion 211 of the inner case 21 and the discharge portion 263 of the fourth member 26. This allows the drying device 100 to discharge air from the second end portion 1b to the outside of the case 1 along the axial direction X.

[0046] 3, the fourth member 26 further has a through hole 265. The through hole 265 is formed at a position corresponding to the recess 243 of the inner case 21. The size of the through hole 265 is approximately equal to the size of the recess 243. As a result, when the outer case 22 is attached to the inner case 21, the recess 243 of the inner case 21 is exposed.

[0047] 3, the drying appliance 100 may further include a filter member 6. The filter member 6 is provided between the plurality of air intake parts 255 and the plurality of air intake parts 231, 241. The filter member 6 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, but is not limited to this example.

[0048] The filter member 6 has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 61 extending in the axial direction X. A plurality of through holes (not shown) are formed in the peripheral wall 61. The plurality of through holes are formed in a mesh pattern. The through holes are very small, for example, with a diameter of approximately 1 mm or less. Foreign matter such as dust and dirt that passes through the intake portion 255 is collected by the filter member 6. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the interior of the case 1.

[0049] The third member 25 is provided so as to be detachable from the inner case 21, and therefore, by removing the third member 25, the foreign matter collected in the filter member 6 can be easily removed.

[0050] 6, the drying appliance 100 may further include a discharge member 7. The discharge member 7 is provided at the discharge port 13. The discharge member 7 is held by, for example, a first member 23 and a second member 24.

[0051] The discharge member 7 has a substantially circular disk shape. When viewed in the opposite direction of the axial direction X, the discharge member 7 overlaps the discharge portion 263. As shown in FIG. 6, the discharge member 7 is provided with a plurality of through holes 71 that penetrate in the axial direction X. The through holes 71 have, for example, a substantially hexagonal shape, but are not limited to this example.

[0052] One function of the discharge member 7 is to straighten the air discharged from the discharge port 13 using the multiple through holes 71. This straightens the discharged air and makes it easier to send the air along the axial direction X. The size, shape, etc. of the through holes 71 of the discharge member 7 are changed as appropriate depending on the wind speed, wind pressure, etc. of the discharged air.

[0053] Next, the relationship between the blower unit 2, heating unit 3, and control unit 4 in the housing section 15 will be described. The intake port 11, control unit 4, blower unit 2, heating unit 3, and discharge port 13 are arranged in this order in the axial direction X, as shown in Fig. 7. Here, being arranged in the axial direction X also includes a state in which at least one element does not overlap when viewed in the axial direction X.

[0054] In relation to the intake port 11, the blower unit 2 is provided at a distance from the intake port 11 in the axial direction X. In other words, the blower unit 2 does not overlap with the intake port 11 in a direction intersecting the axial direction X. Therefore, a certain space is formed in the axial direction X between the intake port 11 and the blower unit 2. The control unit 4 is located in this space.

[0055] The control unit 4 is located between the air intake port 11 and the blower unit 2. The blower unit 2 is located between the control unit 4 and the heating unit 3. The heating unit 3 is located between the air intake port 11 and the blower unit 2.

[0056] 7, arrows indicate the flow of air in the drying device 100. When the blower unit 2 is driven, air is sucked in through the air intake 11 of the case 1. Specifically, the air is sucked in by passing through the air intake portion 255 of the third member 25, the filter member 6, and the air intake portion 231 of the first member 23, or the air is sucked in by passing through the air intake portion 255 of the third member 25, the filter member 6, and the air intake portion 241 of the second member 24.

[0057] Air drawn in through intake port 11 travels through storage section 15 along axial direction X, passing through control unit 4, blower unit 2, and heating unit 3 in this order, and is then discharged from discharge port 13. In this way, storage section 15 also functions as an air flow path.

[0058] The control unit 4 is configured to be able to control the air blowing unit 2 and the heating unit 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the control unit 4 includes a control board 41 and an operation board 43. The control board 41 is electrically connected to the operation board 43, the air blowing unit 2, and the heating unit 3. The control board 41 includes a control circuit for controlling, for example, the rotation speed of the motor 35 described below and the temperature of the heater 53. The control board 41 and the operation board 43 have, for example, a flat plate shape that is long in the axial direction X.

[0059] The control board 41 and the operation board 43 are each provided along the axial direction X. The operation board 43 is provided between the control board 41 and the second member 24. The spaces between the control board 41 and the first member 23 and between the control board 41 and the operation board 43 form part of the air flow path, as shown in FIG.

[0060] An operation unit 45 is provided on the operation board 43. The operation unit 45 includes a power switch 47 and a plurality of buttons 49. The power switch 47 and the plurality of buttons 49 are respectively provided in through-holes 245 (shown in FIG. 3 ) of the second member 24. A user can operate the drying appliance 100 via the operation unit 45.

[0061] For example, the user can supply power to the drying appliance 100 by operating the power switch 47, or can select a preset operation mode by operating the plurality of buttons 49.

[0062] Fig. 8 is an enlarged view showing part VIII shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the air blowing unit 2 included in the drying appliance 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the air blowing unit 2 shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the heating unit 3 included in the drying appliance 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the heating unit 3 shown in Fig. 11.

[0063] The blower unit 2 forms an air flow (air current) along the axial direction X in the drying appliance 100. Specifically, the drying appliance 100 uses the blower unit 2 to suck air through the air intake 11 and send the air along the axial direction X toward the discharge outlet 13.

[0064] 9 and 10, the blower unit 2 has a holding member 31, a fan 33, a motor 35, and a vibration-isolating member 37. The holding member 31 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. A part of the motor 35 and the fan 33 are housed in the holding member 31. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the fan 33 and the motor 35 are arranged in this order in the axial direction X.

[0065] The holding member 31 has an outer cylinder 311, an inner cylinder (not shown) provided inside the outer cylinder 311, and a plurality of supports (not shown) connecting the outer cylinder 311 and the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder covers the motor 35. The plurality of supports are provided at equal intervals around the axis CX.

[0066] The fan 33 is, for example, an axial flow fan. The fan 33 is made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy, but is not limited to this example. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the fan 33 has a base 331 and a plurality of blades 333. The base 331 is formed in a cup shape.

[0067] 8, the fan 33 further has a rotation shaft 337 extending along the axial direction X. The rotation shaft 337 is formed by penetrating the base portion 331 in the axial direction X. The rotation shaft 337 is, for example, a hollow shaft.

[0068] 9, the plurality of blades 333 are provided between the base portion 331 and the holding member 31. The plurality of blades 333 extend from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 331 toward the holding member 31.

[0069] The plurality of blades 333 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction θ. The number of blades 333 is, for example, 11. The number of blades 333 may be 10 or less, or 12 or more. The inclination of the plurality of blades 333 with respect to the rotation shaft 337 is set so that air flows along the rotation shaft 337 when the fan 33 rotates.

[0070] 10, the fan 33 rotates in the direction of the arrow R1, thereby forming an air flow (indicated by the arrow R2) along the rotation axis 337. Specifically, air located upstream of the fan 33 is sucked in and flows downstream along the axial direction X. As a result, air flows inside the holding member 31 in the axial direction X. The interior of the holding member 31 forms part of the air flow path.

[0071] 8, the motor 35 is located between the fan 33 and the heating unit 3. Because the motor 35 is located downstream of the fan 33, the motor 35 is cooled by the flowing air, and the temperature of the motor 35 is less likely to rise.

[0072] 8, the motor 35 has a rotation shaft 351 extending in the axial direction X. The motor 35 is coupled to the rotation shaft 337 of the fan 33 via the rotation shaft 351. The central axes of the rotation shafts 337 and 351 approximately coincide with the axis CX of the drying appliance 100.

[0073] The motor 35 further includes a rotor, a stator, etc. (not shown). When the rotary shaft 351 of the motor 35 rotates, the base 331 and the plurality of blades 333 of the fan 33 rotate.

[0074] The fan 33 is configured to be rotatable at high speed by a motor 35. The motor 35 is, for example, a DC motor (a brushless DC motor as one example). The rotation speed of the motor 35 is, for example, 50,000 rpm or more and 110,000 rpm or less. The rotation speed of the fan 33 corresponds to the rotation speed of the motor 35.

[0075] The vibration-isolating member 37 is, for example, a vibration-isolating rubber. The vibration-isolating member 37 is provided outside the holding member 31. The vibration-isolating member 37 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. The length of the vibration-isolating member 37 in the axial direction X is approximately equal to the length of the holding member 31 in the axial direction X. The vibration-isolating member 37 is formed from, for example, a rubber material, but is not limited to this example.

[0076] 10, the vibration-proof member 37 has an inner peripheral surface 371 facing the holding member 31 and an outer peripheral surface 373 facing the inner case 21. A plurality of protrusions 375 are formed on the outer peripheral surface 373. A portion of the inner peripheral surface 371 is in contact with the holding member 31.

[0077] A portion of the outer peripheral surface 373 is in contact with the inner case 21. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface 373 is in contact with an annular support formed along the circumferential direction θ of the inner case 21. By having the vibration-proof member 37 in partial contact with the holding member 31 and the inner case 21 in this manner, vibrations generated when the blower unit 2 is driven are less likely to be transmitted to the inner case 21.

[0078] The heating unit 3 heats the air sent from the blower unit 2. The heating unit 3 has a heater case 51, a heater 53, and fin portions 55 and 57, as shown in FIGS.

[0079] The heater case 51 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. The heater 53 and the fin portions 55, 57 are housed in the heater case 51, as shown in Fig. 11. The heater case 51 has a first case 511 provided on the first member 23 side and a second case 513 provided on the second member 24 side.

[0080] The first case 511 and the second case 513 have curved shapes that move away from each other when viewed in the axial direction X. The heater case 51 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape by overlapping the second case 513 on the first case 511. As a result, an accommodation section that accommodates the heater 53 and the fin portions 55 and 57 is formed between the first case 511 and the second case 513.

[0081] The heater 53 is, for example, a PTC heater. The heater 53 has, for example, a flat plate shape that is long in the axial direction X. As shown in FIG. 8 , the heater 53 has a surface 531 facing the first member 23 and a surface 533 facing the second member 24. The surface 533 corresponds to the surface opposite the surface 531.

[0082] Fin portions 55 and 57 are formed of, for example, a metal material with high thermal conductivity (for example, an aluminum alloy). Fin portion 55 is provided on surface 531, and fin portion 57 is provided on surface 533. The lengths of fin portions 55 and 57 in axial direction X are approximately equal to the length of heater 53 in axial direction X.

[0083] 11, each of the fin portions 55 and 57 has a plurality of fins 59. The fins 59 have a flat plate shape that is long in the axial direction X. The thickness of the fins 59 is smaller than the thickness of the heater 53, for example.

[0084] The fins 59 are provided substantially perpendicular to the surfaces 531 and 533. Since the cross-sectional shape of the heater case 51 is substantially circular, the height of the fins 59 gradually decreases with increasing distance from the axis CX.

[0085] The fins 59 are arranged at intervals in a direction intersecting the axial direction X. As a result, slits SL extending in the axial direction X are formed between adjacent fins 59. The slits SL are formed between the surface 531 of the heater 53 and the first case 511, and between the surface 533 of the heater 53 and the second case 513, respectively. The slits SL form part of a flow path for air sent from the blower unit 2.

[0086] When a current flows, heater 53 generates heat, and the heat from heater 53 is transferred to the plurality of fins 59 via surfaces 531 and 533, respectively, to heat fin portions 55 and 57. Then, when air passes through the plurality of slits SL, it is heated and hot air is generated.

[0087] The temperature of the passing air is, for example, 40 to 70 degrees (55 degrees in one example). The length of the slits SL in the axial direction X, the number of slits SL, etc. are changed appropriately depending on the temperature of the air at the discharge port 13.

[0088] The drying appliance 100 may further include an ozone generation unit 8. The ozone generation unit 8 is housed in the housing portion 15 of the case 1. As shown in FIG. 3 , the ozone generation unit 8 has a high-voltage power supply 81 and an ozone generator 83.

[0089] The high-voltage power supply 81 is located between the air intake 11 and the blower unit 2. Specifically, the high-voltage power supply 81 is located upstream of the control unit 4. The high-voltage power supply 81 is electrically connected to the control board 41. In other words, the control unit 4 is configured to be able to control the ozone generation unit 8.

[0090] The ozone generating section 83 is located between the blowing unit 2 and the outlet 13. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the ozone generating section 83 is located between the blowing unit 2 and the heating unit 3. Note that the ozone generating section 83 may be located downstream of the heating unit 3.

[0091] The ozone generator 83 is electrically connected to the high-voltage power supply 81. The ozone generator 83 has a discharge unit (not shown). The discharge unit discharges electricity, causing the ozone generator 83 to decompose oxygen in the air and generate ozone. The generated ozone passes through the heating unit 3 and is discharged from the discharge port 13.

[0092] The drying apparatus 100 may further include sheet members 91 and 93 (shown in FIG. 3) and a sheet member 95 (shown in FIG. 12). The sheet members 91, 93, and 95 are formed of, for example, a flame-retardant resin material. The thickness of the sheet members 91, 93, and 95 is, for example, smaller than the thickness of each member constituting the case 1. The thickness of the sheet members 91, 93, and 95 is, for example, approximately 0.25 mm.

[0093] 3, the sheet member 91 covers the control unit 4 in the storage section 15. The sheet member 91 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. The sheet member 91 has a first sheet 911 provided on the first member 23 side and a second sheet 913 provided on the second member 24 side.

[0094] The first sheet 911 and the second sheet 913 have shapes that are curved away from each other when viewed in the axial direction X. The second sheet 913 overlaps the first sheet 911, thereby forming the sheet member 91 into a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0095] The sheet member 93 is located between the inner case 21 and the outer case 22. The sheet member 93 is disposed so as to overlap the control unit 4, the blower unit 2, and the heating unit 3, with the inner case 21 in between. As shown in FIG. 3 , the sheet member 93 has a through hole formed at a position corresponding to the recess 243 of the inner case 21.

[0096] 12, the sheet member 95 covers the heater 53 and the fin portions 55, 57 inside the heater case 51. The sheet member 95 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. The length of the sheet member 95 in the axial direction X is approximately equal to the length of the fin portions 55, 57 in the axial direction X.

[0097] Next, a description will be given of the air (hot air) discharged from the outlet 13. The air discharged from the outlet 13 is set depending on the rotation speed of the motor 35 and fan 33 of the blower unit 2, the shape of the accommodating section 15 (flow path), the size of the outlet 13, etc. In this embodiment, the air discharged from the outlet 13 is set as follows.

[0098] The wind speed of the air discharged from the outlet 13 is, for example, 10 to 20 m per second. The wind speed is preferably 12 to 18 m per second, and more preferably 14 to 16 m per second. The above-mentioned wind speed is a value at a position approximately 3 cm away from the outlet 13 in the axial direction X. The wind speed can be measured, for example, with a windmill-type anemometer or a thermal anemometer. The drying appliance 100 can discharge air (hot air) at a wind speed of 10 to 16 m per second and a temperature of 40 to 70 degrees Celsius, for example.

[0099] At such a wind speed, the wind pressure of the discharged air can be increased. For example, when air from drying device 100 is discharged toward a weighing scale installed at a position approximately 10 cm away from outlet 13 in the axial direction X, the value indicated by the weighing scale is, for example, 40 g or more.

[0100] Fig. 13 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the installed state of the drying appliance 100. In Fig. 13, the longitudinal direction LD of the futon 10 and the transverse direction SD of the futon 10 are defined. In the example shown in Fig. 13, the drying appliance 100 is provided on one side (head side) of the longitudinal direction LD of the futon 10. In the example shown in Fig. 13, the longitudinal direction LD of the futon 10 is the direction along the axial direction X of the drying appliance 100.

[0101] The drying appliance 100 is disposed between the mattress 10A and the comforter 10B. Specifically, the air intake 11 of the drying appliance 100 is exposed from the mattress 10A, and the other portions of the drying appliance 100 are overlapped by the comforter 10B. In relation to the comforter 10B, the air blowing unit 2, the heating unit 3, and the control unit 4 are overlapped by the comforter 10B.

[0102] 13, arrows indicate the flow of air A discharged from the discharge port 13 of the dryer 100. The air A discharged from the discharge port 13 flows between the mattress 10A and the comforter 10B along the longitudinal direction LD of the futon 10 (the axial direction X in the dryer 100).

[0103] As described above, the wind pressure of the air discharged from the drying appliance 100 is high. As a result, the air A can travel between the mattress 10A and the comforter 10B in the longitudinal direction LD and reach the other side (leg side) of the comforter 10.

[0104] Furthermore, part of the air A flows in the longitudinal direction LD and also in the transverse direction SD of the futon 10. In this way, the air A discharged from the drying appliance 100 spreads throughout the entire futon 10, thereby warming the entire futon 10 to a predetermined temperature.

[0105] Fig. 14 is a graph showing the temperature change of the futon 10 when the drying appliance 100 is used. Here, the drying appliance 100 is placed on the futon 10 as shown in Fig. 13, and the temperature at a corner C (shown in Fig. 13) of the mattress 10A is measured. The corner C is located on the opposite side from the end where the drying appliance 100 is placed.

[0106] The temperature of the air discharged from the drying appliance 100 is approximately 60°C. In Fig. 14, the horizontal axis represents time (min) and the vertical axis represents temperature (°C). Here, time corresponds to the elapsed time from the start of operation of the drying appliance 100.

[0107] It was confirmed that the temperature of corner C rose to about 45°C or more about 40 minutes after the start of the test. After that, it was confirmed that the temperature of corner C stabilized between about 47°C and about 49°C until the operation of the drying device 100 was stopped, as shown in part XIV.

[0108] As a result, the drying appliance 100 according to this embodiment can reliably warm up to the corner C of the futon 10. In other words, even when the drying appliance 100 is placed at the head side of the futon 10, it can reliably warm up to the leg side of the futon 10.

[0109] Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating the temperature distribution when the futon dryer according to the comparative example is used. Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating the temperature distribution when the drying appliance 100 is used.

[0110] The futon dryer according to the comparative example includes, for example, a dryer body and a nozzle extending from the dryer body. In the futon dryer according to the comparative example, air heated by the dryer body is discharged from the tip of the nozzle. The wind speed of the air discharged from the tip of the nozzle is approximately 5 m / s.

[0111] That is, the wind speed of the air discharged from the drying appliance 100 is greater than that of the futon dryer according to the comparative example, at least twice as fast. As with the drying appliance 100, the tip of the nozzle was attached to the futon 10. The tip of the nozzle was positioned so as to be approximately equal to the outlet 13 of the drying appliance 100 shown in FIG.

[0112] 15 and 16 show the results of thermography of the surface temperatures of mattress 10A and comforter 10B after 20 minutes of heating. In Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, the area where the temperature is about 40 degrees or higher is shown as area B.

[0113] The size of area B shown in Fig. 16 is larger than the size of area B shown in Fig. 15. That is, it was confirmed that when the drying appliance 100 was used, the temperature of the entire futon 10 was higher than when the futon dryer according to the comparative example was used.

[0114] The average temperatures on the surfaces of mattress 10A and comforter 10B were as follows: In the case of dryer 100, mattress 10A was 48 degrees and comforter 10B was 44 degrees. In the case of the futon dryer of the comparative example, mattress 10A was 42 degrees and comforter 10B was 37 degrees. This confirmed that dryer 100 could warm both mattress 10A and comforter 10B better than the futon dryer of the comparative example.

[0115] As a result, the drying appliance 100 according to this embodiment can warm the entire futon 10 more reliably than the futon dryer according to the comparative example. Although an example in which the drying appliance is installed on the futon 10 has been described in Figs. 13 to 16, the same effect can be obtained when the drying appliance is installed on a bed device or the like.

[0116] The drying appliance 100 configured as described above can improve convenience. Specifically, in the drying appliance 100, the air intake 11, the blowing unit 2, the heating unit 3, and the air outlet 13 are arranged in this order along the axial direction X.

[0117] By arranging the intake port 11, the blower unit 2, the heating unit 3, and the discharge port 13 in this manner, the components constituting the drying device 100 can be arranged compactly, thereby reducing the size of the case 1. Specifically, the case 1 having the intake port 11 and the discharge port 13 can accommodate the blower unit 2 and the heating unit 3.

[0118] By reducing the size of the case 1, it is possible to reduce the effort required of the user to move and install the drying appliance 100. As a result, the present embodiment can improve the convenience of the drying appliance 100. Furthermore, since the drying appliance 100 is reduced in size, the space required to store the drying appliance 100 when not in use is also small.

[0119] In this embodiment, the drying appliance 100 is provided with a cylindrical case 1, so that it can be easily inserted and installed between the mattress and the comforter. Because the drying appliance 100 does not include, for example, a futon bag or a nozzle, the effort required to install it on the futon 10 is reduced compared to appliances that include a futon bag or a nozzle. The drying appliance according to this embodiment is more convenient than these appliances.

[0120] In this embodiment, the control unit 4 is located between the air intake 11 and the blower unit 2. Specifically, the control unit 4 is located upstream of the heating unit 3. This reduces the thermal influence of the heating unit 3 on the control unit 4.

[0121] In this embodiment, the fan 33 provided in the blower unit 2 has a rotation axis 337 along the axial direction X, and can cause air to flow along the rotation axis 337. An airflow passing through the storage section 15 of the case 1 can be formed.

[0122] In this embodiment, the fan 33 is configured to be rotatable at high speed by the motor 35. Specifically, the rotation speed of the motor is, for example, 50,000 rpm or more and 110,000 rpm or less (approximately 100,000 rpm in one example). By providing the blower unit 2 having such a motor 35 and fan 33, air can be discharged at a high wind speed. Even in a miniaturized drying appliance 100, air with high wind pressure can be discharged at such a wind speed.

[0123] This ensures that sufficient warm air is discharged to reliably warm the object (for example, a futon). Specifically, as explained using Figures 13 to 16, the wind pressure is large, so the air spreads throughout the futon 10, reliably warming the entire futon 10. Furthermore, because the suction force can be increased by the blower unit 2, the air intake 11 and the blower unit 2 can be positioned with a gap in the axial direction X.

[0124] In this embodiment, the drying appliance 100 further includes an ozone generating unit 8. With this, by discharging ozone from the outlet 13, not only can the object (e.g., a futon) be warmed but also odors adhering to the object can be suppressed. The drying appliance 100 may further include a safety device such as a thermostat or a thermal fuse.

[0125] In the present embodiment, the dryer 100 is described as being applied to a futon as an example, but the dryer 100 can be applied to other uses, such as drying clothes, removing wrinkles from clothes, drying shoes, etc. The dryer 100 according to the present embodiment can send warm air to an object other than a futon and heat the object to a predetermined temperature according to the purpose. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1...case, 1a...first end, 1b...second end, 2...blower unit, 3...heating unit, 4...control unit, 8...ozone generation unit, 11...air intake, 13...air outlet, 33...fan, 35...motor, 83...ozone generation section, 100...drying device, 337...rotating shaft.

Claims

1. A futon drying device, a cylindrical case having an intake port and an exhaust port, inserted into the futon, and extending in the axial direction; a blower unit that draws air through the intake port and sends the air toward the discharge port; a heating unit that heats the air sent from the air blowing unit, the blowing unit and the heating unit are disposed inside the case along an axis of the case, The air heated by the heating unit is discharged from the discharge port. drying equipment.

2. The air intake, the air blowing unit, and the heating unit are arranged in this order along the axis of the case. The drying appliance of claim 1 .

3. The air intake has an air intake portion including a first opening formed in the peripheral wall of the case. The drying appliance of claim 2.

4. The air intake has an air intake portion including a second opening formed in an end wall of the case. The drying appliance of claim 2.

5. The heating device further includes a control unit housed in the case and configured to be able to control the air blowing unit and the heating unit. The drying appliance of claim 1 .

6. the blower unit includes a fan having a rotation axis along the axial direction, The fan forms the air flow that flows along the rotation axis. The drying appliance of claim 1 .

7. The air blowing unit is housed in the case between the fan and the heating unit and further includes a motor connected to the rotary shaft.

7. The drying appliance of claim 6.

8. The rotation axis of the fan overlaps with the axis of the case.

8. The drying appliance of claim 7.

9. The length of the case in the axial direction is 250 mm or more and 350 mm or less. The drying appliance of claim 1 .

10. The wind speed of the air discharged from the discharge port is 10 m / s or more. The drying appliance of claim 1 .

11. The cross-sectional shape of the case includes a polygonal shape. A drying appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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