Dryer filter cleaning device and dryer

Abstract

To provide a dryer filter cleaning device capable of collecting minute dust such as microplastics without reducing drying efficiency at an initial stage of a drying operation.SOLUTION: A dryer filter cleaning device 10 comprises: a filter body 2 to collect dust; a ventilation channel 3 provided on upstream side of the filter body 2; and a cleaning body 4 that is movably provided in the ventilation channel 3 and removes the dust adhered to the filter body 2. The filter body 2 has a first filter part 2a and a second filter part 2b having mesh smaller than that of the first filter part 2a. The cleaning body 4 stands by at a drying initial position 5a that does not inhibit ventilation to the first filter part 2a and the second filter part 2b within a prescribed time after a drying operation is started. The cleaning body 4 moves to a drying end position 5b that inhibits ventilation to the first filter part 2a after the prescribed time passed from starting of the drying operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART A filter for collecting dust has been installed in a dryer, and a filter cleaning device for removing dust adhering to the filter has been known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] The filter cleaning device for a dryer described in Patent Document 1 comprises a cleaning device main body, a filter body capable of capturing dust from ventilation, and a cleaning body having a blade with protrusions formed on the side for scraping up dust, which moves along the filter body and removes dust adhering to the filter body, the length from one end of the cleaning body to the other end being longer than the shortest distance from one end of the cleaning body to the filter surface of the filter body, the cleaning device main body having a recess for accommodating the tip of the blade when the blade is in an initial position of the cleaning body where it is not in sliding contact with the filter body, and the protrusion abuts against one end of the dust piled up on the filter body to scrape it up. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-069181 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the dryer filter cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, dust particles such as microplastics that are smaller than the mesh size of the filter body pass through the filter body and are discharged to the outside along with the wastewater. On the other hand, if the mesh size of the filter body is made even smaller, the filter will act as a resistance to ventilation, and in the early stages of drying operation in the dryer, dust particles containing a lot of moisture will adhere to the filter body, reducing the amount of ventilation and lowering drying efficiency.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide a dryer filter cleaning device and a dryer that can capture fine dust particles such as microplastics without reducing drying efficiency in the early stages of drying operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the invention of claim 1 is a filter cleaning device for a dryer having a filter body that collects dust, an air passage provided upstream of the filter body, and a cleaning body that is movably provided within the air passage and removes dust adhering to the filter body, wherein the filter body has a first filter section and a second filter section that has a finer mesh than the first filter section, and wherein for a predetermined time after the start of the drying operation, the cleaning body waits in an initial drying position that does not obstruct ventilation to the first filter section and the second filter section, and after the predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the drying operation, the cleaning body moves to an end drying position that obstructs ventilation to the first filter section.

[0008] In the invention of claim 1, by utilizing the movement of the cleaning body, the ventilation air passes mainly through the first filter part with large mesh for a predetermined time after the start of the drying operation, thereby increasing the ventilation volume and preventing a decrease in drying efficiency in the initial stage of the drying operation. Also, while dust in the initial stage of the drying operation contains a lot of moisture and is not easily suspended in the ventilation, after a predetermined time has passed since the start of the drying operation, the dust becomes dry and lighter and is suspended in large amounts in the ventilation, so that fine dust such as microplastics can be captured by passing through the second filter part with small mesh.

[0009] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the cleaning element has a substantially plate-shaped base and a dust removal part provided at one end of the base, the other end of the base is rotatably fixed to the inner wall surface of the ventilation passage, the ventilation is guided to the inner wall surface of the ventilation passage and the side surface of the base, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the drying operation, the ventilation passes only through the second filter part. This allows the ventilation to be guided efficiently by the rotation of the cleaning element.

[0010] The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 2, the first filter section and the second filter section of the filter body are formed continuously, and the initial drying position of the cleaning body is such that the tip of the cleaning body is located between one end of the first filter section and the inner wall surface of the ventilation passage, and the final drying position of the cleaning body is such that the tip of the cleaning body is located between the other end of the first filter section and one end of the second filter section. Thus, after cleaning the first filter section with the cleaning body, the cleaning body reaches the final drying position, thereby improving drying efficiency.

[0011] The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in any one of the inventions of claims 1 to 3, the filter cleaning device has an inlet with an opening surface at the upstream end of the ventilation passage, and is arranged so that the direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface of the inlet is approximately perpendicular to the filter surface of the filter body. The filter body has a generally arcuate shape with a first filter section and a second filter section continuously formed therein, and the surface of the first filter section is arranged to face the opening surface of the inlet, and the surface of the second filter section is arranged to be inclined with respect to the opening surface of the inlet. This reduces the resistance of the airflow passing through the first filter section and increases the amount of airflow, thereby improving drying efficiency. Furthermore, in the final stage of the drying operation, the cleaning body guides the airflow, increasing the resistance of the airflow passing through the second filter section and reducing the amount of airflow, while capturing fine dust particles such as microplastics.

[0012] The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that in any one of the inventions of claims 1 to 3, the surfaces of the first filter part and the second filter part are integrally formed from etched metal, which makes it easier for the cleaning element to remove dust from the filter body and reduces resistance during ventilation.

[0013] The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 3, the filter body has a third filter part, which is formed continuously with the other end of the second filter part and has a finer mesh than the second filter part. Thus, by rotating the cleaning body in stages corresponding to the stages of the drying operation, it is possible to guide ventilation to the second filter part and the third filter part, and to reliably capture fine dust particles such as microplastics.

[0014] The invention of claim 7 is characterized in that, in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 3, the filter cleaning device has an inlet with an opening at the upstream end of the ventilation passage, and is arranged so that the direction approximately perpendicular to the opening of the inlet is approximately perpendicular to the filter surface of the filter body, and a dust box for collecting dust is formed near the inlet and near the other end of the second filter part. This allows dust scraped off from the filter body by the cleaning body to be collected in the dust box without remaining in the ventilation passage.

[0015] The invention of claim 8 is a dryer invention characterized in that warm air generated by an air blowing means and a heating means is circulated and supplied through an air duct into a rotating drum that is rotatably arranged within a tank body and that stores clothes, etc., to dry the clothes, etc., and that a filter cleaning device for a dryer of any of claims 1 to 7 is detachably provided on the exhaust side of the air duct from the tank body. This makes it possible to capture fine dust such as microplastics without reducing drying efficiency in the initial stage of drying operation, and provides a dryer that can be easily maintained by removing the filter cleaning device.

[0016] The invention of claim 9 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 8, it has a drive device that drives the cleaning body and a control device that controls the drive of the cleaning body. This makes the filter cleaning device for the dryer compact, and makes it easy to attach and detach from the dryer when discharging dust. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The invention of the dryer filter cleaning device of claim 1 can prevent a decrease in drying efficiency in the early stages of drying operation and can capture minute dust particles such as microplastics. The invention of claim 2 can efficiently guide ventilation by rotating the cleaning body. The invention of claim 3 can improve drying efficiency.

[0018] The invention of claim 4 can improve drying efficiency and capture minute dust particles such as microplastics. The invention of claim 5 can facilitate the dust removal from the filter body by the cleaning body and reduce resistance during ventilation.

[0019] The invention of claim 6 can reliably capture minute dust particles such as microplastics. Also, the invention of claim 7 can collect the dust particles scraped off from the filter body by the cleaning body into the dust box without leaving them in the ventilation duct.

[0020] The dryer invention of claim 8 can capture minute dust particles such as microplastics without reducing drying efficiency in the early stages of drying operation, and can provide a dryer that can be easily maintained by removing the filter cleaning device. Furthermore, the invention of claim 9 makes the filter cleaning device of the dryer itself compact, making it easy to attach and detach from the dryer when discharging dust. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a dryer in which a filter cleaning device for a dryer according to the present invention is installed; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of a dryer in which a filter cleaning device for a dryer according to the present invention is installed. [Figure 3] (a) A perspective view of the filter cleaning device for a dryer according to the present invention, as seen from the front side. (b) A perspective view of the filter cleaning device for a dryer according to the present invention, as seen from the rear side. [Figure 4] 1(a) to 1(d) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the filter cleaning device for a dryer according to the present invention. [Figure 5] (a) A perspective view showing a first embodiment of the filter body; (b) A perspective view showing a second embodiment of the filter body; (c) A perspective view showing a third embodiment of the filter body; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a cleaning element; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0023] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a dryer equipped with a dryer filter cleaning device according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the dryer. The dryer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to these figures.

[0024] The dryer (washer / dryer) 40 of the present invention has a dryer main body 30 equipped with a door 30a on its front. The dryer main body 30 circulates and supplies warm air generated by a blower (fan) 33 and a heater 32 through ventilation ducts 31a, 31b, and 31c into a rotary drum 30b, which is rotatably disposed within a tub 30d and stores clothes, etc., to dry the clothes. The filter cleaning device 10 of the present invention is detachably installed in the air passage of the ventilation ducts 31a, 31b, and 31c on the exhaust side from the tub 30d. The filter cleaning device 10 of the dryer is configured to be accessible through an outlet 30e formed on the top surface of the dryer main body 30. The outlet 30e may also be formed on the front surface of the dryer main body 30.

[0025] Reference numeral 30c denotes a motor that rotates the rotating drum 30b, and this motor 30c rotates the rotating drum 30b during various processes such as drying, washing, rinsing, and spin-drying. A heat exchanger, for example, can be used as the heating means 32. Various types of heat exchangers, such as a heat pump type or a heater type, can be used. While the dryer 40 is of a drum type, this is not limiting, and various types, such as a vertical type, can be used.

[0026] The dryer 40 is equipped with a control device (not shown) that controls the driving of the cleaning element. The driving device for the cleaning element may be installed on the filter cleaning device side of the dryer, as described below, or it can also be installed on the dryer 40 side. This allows the dryer filter cleaning device 10 itself to be compact, making it easy to attach and detach from the dryer when discharging dust. The dryer 40 according to the present invention is equipped with a detachable dryer filter cleaning device 10, as described below, which can capture fine dust particles such as microplastics without reducing drying efficiency in the initial stage of drying operation, and also allows the filter cleaning device to be removed for easy maintenance.

[0027] Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view of the filter cleaning device for a dryer according to the present invention as seen from the front, and Fig. 3(b) is a perspective view of the filter cleaning device for a dryer according to the present invention as seen from the rear. Also, Figs. 4(a) to 4(d) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the filter cleaning device for a dryer according to the present invention. The filter cleaning device for a dryer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to these figures.

[0028] The dryer filter cleaning device 10 of the present invention has a cleaning device main body 1, a filter body 2 that collects dust, an air passage 3 provided upstream of the filter body 2, and a cleaning body 4 that is movably provided within the air passage 3 and removes dust adhering to the filter body 2.

[0029] The filter body 2 has a first filter section 2a and second filter sections 2b, 2b which have finer mesh than the first filter section 2a, and for a predetermined time after the start of the drying operation, the cleaning body 4 waits in an initial drying position (shown in Figure 4(a)) where it does not obstruct ventilation to the first filter section 2a and the second filter section 2b, and after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the drying operation, the cleaning body 4 moves to an end drying position (shown in Figure 4(b)) where it obstructs ventilation to the first filter section 2a.

[0030] The dryer filter cleaning device 10 according to the present invention, with the above-described configuration, utilizes the movement of the cleaning body 4 to increase the ventilation volume by primarily passing through the large-mesh first filter section 2a within a predetermined time after the start of the drying operation, thereby preventing a decrease in drying efficiency in the initial stage of the drying operation. Furthermore, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the drying operation, the ventilation passes through the small-mesh second filter section 2b, thereby capturing fine dust particles such as microplastics. Note that dust in the initial stage of the drying operation contains a lot of moisture, so it increases in volume, becomes heavy, and is less likely to float in the ventilation. However, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the drying operation, the dust dries, reduces in volume, becomes lighter, and floats in large amounts in the ventilation. Therefore, by passing the ventilation through the fine-mesh second filter section 2b after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the drying operation, dust can be efficiently captured.

[0031] The cleaning body 4 has a substantially plate-shaped base 4a and a dust removal part 4b that is provided at one end of the base 4a and slides against the surface of the filter body 2 while scraping off dust adhering to the filter body 2. The other end of the base 4a is rotatably fixed to the inner wall surface 1a of the ventilation passage 3, and the ventilation is guided between the inner wall surface 1a of the ventilation passage 3 and the side surface 14a of the base 4a, so that after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the drying operation, the ventilation passes only through the second filter part 2b. This allows the ventilation to be guided efficiently by rotating the cleaning body 4.

[0032] The first filter portion 2a and the second filter portion 2b of the filter body 2 are formed continuously, and the initial drying position 5a of the cleaning body 4 is configured such that the tip of the cleaning body 4 is located between one end of the first filter portion 2a and the inner wall surface 1a of the ventilation passage 3, and the final drying position 5b of the cleaning body 4 is configured such that the tip of the cleaning body 4 is located between the other end of the first filter portion 2a and one end of the second filter portion 2b. As a result, after the cleaning body 4 has cleaned the first filter portion 2a, the cleaning body 4 reaches the final drying position 5b, thereby improving drying efficiency.

[0033] The filter cleaning device 10 has an inlet 6 with an opening surface 6a at the upstream end of the ventilation passage 3. The direction approximately perpendicular to the opening surface 6a of the inlet 6 is approximately perpendicular to the filter surface 12a of the filter body 2. The filter body 2 has a generally arc-shaped configuration in which a first filter section 2a and a second filter section 2b are continuously formed. The surface of the first filter section 2a is positioned to face the opening surface 6a of the inlet 6, and the surface of the second filter section 2b is positioned to be inclined relative to the opening surface 6a of the inlet 6. This configuration reduces the resistance of the airflow passing through the first filter section 2a and increases the airflow volume, thereby improving drying efficiency during the initial stage of the drying operation. Furthermore, during the final stage of the drying operation, the cleaning body 4 guides the airflow, increasing the resistance of the airflow passing through the second filter section 2b, thereby reducing the airflow volume and capturing fine dust particles such as microplastics.

[0034] A dust box 7 for collecting dust is formed near the inlet 6 and near the other end of the second filter section 2b. At the end of the drying operation, the cleaning body 4 rotates clockwise as shown in FIG. 4(c). This allows the dust X scraped off from the filter body 2 by the cleaning body 4 to be collected in the dust box 7 without remaining in the ventilation passage 3. Reference numeral 16 denotes a guide wall that prevents the dust X from moving toward the inlet 6 and guides it toward the dust box. After removing the filter cleaning device 10 from the dryer, the dust X collected in the dust box 7 can be discarded by unlocking the inlet 6 of the cleaning device main body 1, as shown in FIG. 4(d). Reference numeral 15 denotes a drive motor that constitutes a drive device for driving the cleaning body 4. However, as mentioned above, the drive device may be installed on the dryer side.

[0035] 5(a) is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the filter body. The filter body 2 of the first embodiment is composed of a frame body 12b made of polypropylene and a filter surface 12a made of nylon, a polyamide synthetic resin. The filter surface 12a has a first filter portion 2a with a coarse mesh and second filter portions 2b, 2b with a finer mesh than the first filter portion 2a.

[0036] 5(b) is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the filter body. In the filter body 22 of the second embodiment, the surfaces of the first filter portion 22a and the second filter portions 22b, 22b are integrally formed from etched metal, with the first filter portion 22a having a coarse mesh. The second filter portions 22b, 22b have a finer mesh than the first filter portion 22a. By subjecting the filter body 22 to etching, dust can be easily removed from the filter body 22 by the cleaning body, and resistance during ventilation can be reduced.

[0037] FIG. 5(c) is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the filter body. In the filter body 42 of the third embodiment, the surfaces of the first filter portion 42a, the second filter portion 42b, and the third filter portion 42c are integrally formed from etched metal. The third filter portion 42c is formed continuously with the other end of the second filter portion 42b. The first filter portion 42a has a coarse mesh, while the second filter portion 42b has a finer mesh than the first filter portion 42a. The third filter portion 42c has a finer mesh than the second filter portion 42b. This allows the cleaning body to be rotated in stages corresponding to the stages of the drying operation, thereby guiding ventilation to the second filter portion 42b and the third filter portion 42c and reliably capturing minute dust particles such as microplastics.

[0038] 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a cleaning element. The cleaning element 4 has a substantially plate-shaped base 4a and a dust removal part 4b attached to one end of the base 4a, which slides against the surface of the filter element and scrapes off dust adhering to the filter element. The side surface 14a of the base, together with the inner wall surface of the ventilation passage, serves to guide the ventilation. Furthermore, if a brush or a deformable soft member is attached to the entire end side surface 14b of the base and installed so as to slide against the inner wall surface of the ventilation passage, ventilation leakage can be prevented. [Industrial Applicability]

[0039] The filter cleaning device for a dryer according to the present invention is used to remove dust adhering to a filter body. Also, the dryer according to the present invention is used as a dryer equipped with the filter cleaning device for removing dust adhering to a filter body. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Cleaning device body 1a Inner wall surface 2, 22, 42 Filter body 2a, 22a, 42a First filter section 2b, 22b, 42b Second filter section 3 Ventilation duct 4 Cleaning body 4a Foundation 4b Dust removal part 5a Drying initial position 5b Drying end position 6 Inlet 6a Opening surface 7 Dustbin 10 Dryer filter cleaning device 12a Filter surface 12b Frame 14a Side of the base 14b End side of base 15 Drive motor 16 Guidance wall 30 Dryer body 30a Door 30b Rotating drum 30c motor 30d tank body 30e outlet 31a, 31b, 31c ventilation duct 32 Heating means 33 Air blowing means 40 Dryer 42c Third filter section X Dust

Claims

1. A filter body that collects dust; a ventilation channel provided on the upstream side of the filter body; a cleaning body that is movably provided in the ventilation duct and removes dust adhering to the filter body, The filter body has a first filter portion and a second filter portion having a finer mesh than the first filter portion, Within a predetermined time after the start of the drying operation, the cleaning element waits at an initial drying position where ventilation to the first filter portion and the second filter portion is not obstructed, a filter cleaning device for a dryer, characterized in that, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of a drying operation, the cleaning body moves to a drying end position where ventilation to the first filter section is obstructed;

2. The cleaning body has a substantially plate-shaped base and a dust removal part provided at one end of the base, The other end of the base is rotatably fixed to the inner wall surface of the ventilation passage, The ventilation is guided to the inner wall surface of the ventilation passage and the side surface of the base, 2. The filter cleaning device for a dryer according to claim 1, wherein the air passes only through the second filter portion after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the drying operation.

3. The first filter portion and the second filter portion of the filter body are formed continuously, the initial drying position of the cleaning element is such that the tip of the cleaning element is located between one end of the first filter part and the inner wall surface of the ventilation passage; 3. The filter cleaning device for a dryer according to claim 2, wherein the drying end position of the cleaning element is such that the tip of the cleaning element is located between the other end of the first filter portion and one end of the second filter portion.

4. The filter cleaning device has an inlet with an opening surface at an upstream end of the ventilation passage, The inlet is provided so that a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening surface of the inlet is substantially perpendicular to the filter surface of the filter body, The filter body has a substantially arcuate shape in which a first filter portion and a second filter portion are continuously formed, and a surface of the first filter portion is disposed to face an opening surface of the inlet, 4. The filter cleaning device for a dryer according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the second filter portion is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to an opening surface of the inlet.

5. 4. The filter cleaning device for a dryer according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the first filter section and the second filter section are integrally formed of etched metal.

6. 4. The filter cleaning device for a dryer according to claim 1, wherein the filter body has a third filter portion, which is formed continuously with the other end of the second filter portion and has finer mesh than the second filter portion.

7. The filter cleaning device has an inlet with an opening surface at an upstream end of the ventilation passage, The inlet is provided so that a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening surface of the inlet is substantially perpendicular to the filter surface of the filter body, 4. The filter cleaning device for a dryer according to claim 1, wherein a dust box for collecting dust is formed near the inlet and near the other end of the second filter portion.

8. A dryer characterized in that warm air generated by an air blowing means and a heating means is circulated and supplied through a ventilation duct into a rotary drum that is rotatably disposed within a tank body and that accommodates clothes, etc., to dry the clothes, etc., and the filter cleaning device for a dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is detachably provided on the exhaust side of the ventilation duct from the tank body.

9. The dryer according to claim 8, further comprising a drive unit for driving the cleaning element, and a control unit for controlling the driving of the cleaning element.

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