Drying duct assembly and clothing processing device including the drying duct assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of clothing treatment appliances, and specifically to a drying duct assembly and a clothing treatment appliance including the drying duct assembly, and aims to solve the problem that conventional drying duct assemblies cannot accurately obtain the temperature inside the duct, which affects the user experience. [Solution] Therefore, the drying duct assembly of the present invention includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, a fan configured to introduce airflow from outside the housing into the housing, a heating element provided in the housing and having a heating duct, and a temperature control element provided in the heating duct for detecting the temperature inside the heating duct, connected in series with the heating element to form a circuit, and cutting off the circuit when the temperature inside the heating duct is higher than a set temperature. The present invention can accurately monitor the temperature inside the heating duct, achieve more accurate high-temperature hot air, and prevent the drying duct assembly from burning due to an excessively high temperature inside the heating duct.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority from Chinese patent application CN202211295427.X, filed on October 21, 2022, with the invention title "Drying duct assembly and clothing processing device including the drying duct assembly," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of clothes treatment appliances, and in particular to a drying duct assembly and a clothes treatment appliance including the drying duct assembly. [Background technology]

[0003] As a commonly used household appliance, clothing treatment appliances bring great convenience to people's lives. Clothing treatment appliances mainly include washing machines, clothing care devices, and clothing dryers. Clothing treatment appliances usually have a drying function, and a heating element heats the airflow flowing through a heating duct to generate hot air, thereby accelerating the drying of clothes.

[0004] In the drying duct assembly of a conventional clothing processing machine, a temperature sensor is usually provided on the heating duct case to control the temperature inside the heating duct. The temperature sensor provided on the heating duct case indirectly feeds back the temperature inside the heating duct by measuring the temperature of the case, so the temperature inside the heating duct cannot be accurately obtained. As a result, accurate high-temperature hot air cannot be achieved, resulting in a poor user experience.

[0005] Therefore, a new technical solution is needed in this field to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above technical problem that the conventional drying duct assembly cannot accurately obtain the temperature inside the heating duct, so it cannot achieve accurate high-temperature hot air, which affects the user's usage experience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a dryer duct assembly, the dryer duct assembly of the present invention comprising: a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port; a fan configured to introduce airflow outside the housing into the housing through the air intake; a heating element provided within the housing and positioned between the air intake port and the air exhaust port, the heating element having a heating duct, the inlet end of the heating duct being connected to the air intake port so that airflow entering the housing through the air intake port flows into the heating duct, the heating element including a heating body capable of heating the airflow flowing within the heating duct, and the outlet end of the heating duct being connected to the air exhaust port so that the hot airflow within the heating duct flows out from the air exhaust port; and a temperature control member that is provided within the heating duct, connected in series to the heating body of the heating element to form a conductive circuit, detects the temperature within the heating duct, and cuts off the circuit when the temperature within the heating duct is higher than a set temperature.

[0008] In a preferred technical solution of the above drying duct assembly, the temperature control member includes a first overheat protection switch connected in series to the heating body and configured to disconnect the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct exceeds a first set temperature, and further configured to conduct the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct is lower than the first set temperature.

[0009] In a preferred technical solution of the above drying duct assembly, the temperature control member further includes a second overheat protection switch, both of which are connected in series with the heating body, and which is configured to cut off the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct exceeds a second set temperature, and to not conduct the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct is lower than the second set temperature, and the first set temperature is lower than the second set temperature.

[0010] In a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned drying duct assembly, the heating element further includes a supporting skeleton and an insulating case, the supporting skeleton and the heating element are both arranged in the insulating case, the heating duct is formed in the insulating case, the heating element is a superconducting heating wire, and the superconducting heating wire is wound around the outside of the supporting skeleton.

[0011] In a preferred technical solution of the drying duct assembly, the drying duct assembly further includes a slide plate on which the temperature control member is attached, and a driving means configured to drive the slide plate so that it moves relative to the supporting framework and moves out of the heating duct.

[0012] In a preferred technical solution of the above drying duct assembly, the driving means includes an electromagnetic member, the sliding plate is magnetic, and when the electromagnetic member is energized, a magnetic attractive force is generated in the sliding plate, causing the sliding plate to move out of the heating duct, and the driving means further includes an elastic reset member for returning the sliding plate into the heating duct after the electromagnetic member is de-energized.

[0013] In a preferred technical solution of the above drying duct assembly, the drying duct assembly further includes a first wire winding member and a second wire winding member, respectively located at both ends of the temperature control member, wherein when the sliding plate is moved out of the heating duct, the power wire in the first wire winding member is released to move the sliding plate toward the second wire winding member, and the power wire between the sliding plate and the second wire winding member is wound around the second wire winding member; and when the sliding plate is returned into the heating duct, the power wire in the second wire winding member is released to move the sliding plate toward the first wire winding member, and the power wire between the sliding plate and the first wire winding member is wound around the first wire winding member.

[0014] In a preferred technical solution of the above drying duct assembly, the drying duct assembly further includes a check member that is provided at the exhaust port and is configured to open the exhaust port to allow the airflow in the heating duct to flow out from the exhaust port, and further configured to close the exhaust port to prevent foreign objects outside the housing from entering the housing through the exhaust port.

[0015] In a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned drying duct assembly, the check member includes a sealing substrate and a valve plate, each of which is provided in plurality and spaced apart in sequence, the sealing substrate is attached to the housing so as to divide the exhaust port into a plurality of exhaust channels, and the valve plate is pivotally connected to the housing and is configured to abut against the sealing substrate to close the exhaust channels in a first operating state, and to move away from the sealing substrate to open the exhaust channels in a second operating state.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a clothes treating apparatus, the clothes treating apparatus of the present invention comprising the drying duct assembly described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] When adopting the above technical solution, by providing a temperature control element in the heating duct, the temperature inside the heating duct can be accurately monitored, thereby realizing more accurate high-temperature hot air, improving drying efficiency, and shortening drying time. In addition, when the temperature inside the heating duct exceeds the set temperature, the circuit can be cut off, thereby preventing the hot air temperature inside the heating duct from becoming too high and burning the drying duct assembly, and further avoiding safety hazards.

[0018] The first overheating protection switch can more accurately detect the hot air temperature in the heating duct and cut off the circuit when the hot air temperature in the heating duct is too high, preventing the superconducting heating wire from continuing to heat up and the temperature in the heating duct from continuing to deviate from the set temperature. The second overheating protection switch can be melted and cut off the circuit when it detects that the temperature in the heating duct continues to rise and exceed the second set temperature if the first overheating protection switch fails, preventing the superconducting heating wire from continuing to heat up and burn the housing. This prevents burns and fires, provides double overheating protection for the drying duct, and improves the safety of the laundry processing device.

[0019] Furthermore, compared to the heating element being a heating tube or a heating ring, the heating element being a superconducting heating wire wound around a support skeleton avoids the phenomenon of the surface of the heating tube becoming red-hot, which is common in prior art, and thereby avoids safety hazards such as burns and fires, significantly improving the safety of the drying duct. Furthermore, the superconducting heating wire has the advantages of low thermal resistance and high heat exchange efficiency, allowing it to heat up quickly, improving heating efficiency and significantly improving the clothes drying efficiency of the clothing processing equipment. Furthermore, it has the characteristics of rapid heat dissipation and rapid cooling in the event of a power outage, which reduces heat loss, improves heat utilization rate and reduces energy waste.

[0020] Furthermore, by providing a sliding plate and a driving means and attaching the temperature control member to the sliding plate, it is possible to prevent the temperature control member from swinging in the heating duct and affecting the accuracy of the temperature control member, compared to a configuration in which the temperature control member is directly placed in the heating duct, thereby enabling more accurate detection of hot air in the heating duct. Furthermore, when the temperature control member is in normal use, it is attached to the sliding plate and moves into the heating duct together with the sliding plate, facilitating temperature detection within the heating duct. When the temperature control member needs maintenance or replacement, the driving means can move the sliding plate relative to the support framework to move the sliding plate out of the heating duct, thereby facilitating maintenance of the temperature control member and improving maintenance efficiency.

[0021] Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the drive means is provided on a motor, providing the drive means on an electromagnetic member can eliminate the need for a motor, thereby reducing the cost of the drive means and further reducing the cost of the dryer duct assembly, and also simplifying the structure of the drive means, thereby improving the simplicity of the dryer duct assembly.

[0022] Furthermore, by providing a first wire winding member and a second wire winding member, the power wire can be wound into the first wire winding member or the second wire winding member when the slide plate is moved out of the heating duct or returned to the heating duct, which prevents the power wire from becoming tangled and further facilitates maintenance of the temperature control member.

[0023] Furthermore, by providing a check member, when the drying duct assembly is in a non-operating state, laundry foam or clothing debris in the clothing processing device can be prevented from entering the drying duct assembly through the exhaust port, thereby avoiding clogging of the drying duct assembly; and when the drying duct assembly is in an operating state, the exhaust port can be opened to allow the airflow in the heating duct to flow out through the exhaust port, facilitating the transport of hot air and thereby avoiding any impact on the normal use of the drying duct assembly.

[0024] Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the check member is provided as a motor and valve plate, a configuration in which the check member is provided as a sealing substrate and valve plate can eliminate the need for a motor, thereby reducing the cost of the check member and further reducing the cost of the drying duct assembly, and making the structure of the drying duct assembly simpler and lighter. Also, by providing multiple sealing substrates and multiple valve plates, the hot air blown out from the exhaust port can be divided into multiple airflows, thereby allowing the hot air to be blown more uniformly into the drying chamber of the laundry processing device and improving the drying effect.

[0025] Furthermore, the present invention further provides a clothes treating machine based on the above technical solution, and adopts the above drying duct assembly, thereby further achieving the beneficial effects of the above drying duct assembly. Compared with the previous clothes treating machine, the clothes treating machine of the present invention has higher hot air temperature accuracy, higher drying efficiency, higher equipment safety, simpler structure, lower cost, easier maintenance for the clothes treating machine, and a better user experience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in conjunction with the drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of the drying duct assembly of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the drying duct assembly of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the first upper housing in FIG. 1 after it has been hidden. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural view of the insulating case in FIG. 5 after a portion of the insulating case is hidden. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged schematic view of a portion C in FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a heating element of the present invention; [Figure 9] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a heating element, a temperature control element, a slide plate and a driving means of the present invention; [Figure 10] 2 is a schematic structural view of a first wire take-up member of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are only for illustrating the technical principles of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0028] In the description of the present invention, terms indicating directions or positional relationships, such as "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," and "top," are used merely for ease of description and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element must have a particular orientation or be configured and operated in a particular orientation, but are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and therefore cannot be understood as limitations of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0029] Furthermore, in the description of the present invention, the terms "attach," "provide," and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, and may refer to, for example, a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention depending on the specific circumstances.

[0030] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram 1 of a drying duct assembly of the present invention, Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram 2 of a drying duct assembly of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure taken along line AA in Figure 2.

[0031] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. The drying duct assembly of the present invention includes a housing 1, a fan 2, a heating element, and a temperature control element, the housing 1 has an air intake 101 and an air exhaust 102, a storage chamber 103 (shown in Figures 6 and 6A) is provided within the housing 1, the air exhaust 102 and the air intake 101 are both connected to the storage chamber 103, the fan 2 is configured to introduce airflow from outside the housing 1 into the housing 1 via the air intake 101, and the air exhaust 102 is connected to the drying chamber of the laundry treatment device and transports hot air into the drying chamber.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the heating element is provided in the accommodation chamber 103 of the housing 1 and is located between the air inlet 101 and the air outlet 102. The heating element has a heating duct 30, and the inlet end 301 of the heating duct 30 is connected to the air inlet 101 so that the airflow entering the housing 1 through the air inlet 101 flows into the heating duct 30. The heating element includes a heating element capable of heating the airflow flowing through the heating duct 30, and the outlet end 302 of the heating duct 30 is connected to the air outlet 102 so that the hot airflow in the heating duct 30 flows out from the air outlet 102. The temperature control element 7 is provided in the heating duct 30 and is connected in series with the heating element of the heating element to form a conductive circuit, and is used to detect the temperature in the heating duct 30 and cut off the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct 30 is higher than a set temperature.

[0033] By installing the temperature control element 7 in the heating duct 30 in this way, the temperature inside the heating duct 30 can be accurately monitored, thereby realizing more accurate high-temperature hot air, improving drying efficiency, and shortening drying time. Furthermore, if the temperature inside the heating duct 30 exceeds the set temperature, the circuit can be cut off, thereby preventing the hot air temperature inside the heating duct 30 from becoming too high and burning the drying duct assembly, and further avoiding safety hazards.

[0034] In practical applications, those skilled in the art may provide the housing 1 as an integrated unit, or may provide the housing 1 as an upper housing and a lower housing. Such adjustments and modifications to the specific installation form of the housing 1 should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0035] Preferably, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the housing 1 of the present invention is formed by connecting an upper housing 11 and a lower housing 12, with the intake port 101 being provided in the lower housing 12 and the exhaust port 102 being formed between the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12.

[0036] Such an installation makes it easier to attach and detach the dryer duct assembly compared to a configuration in which the housing 1 is integrally provided, thereby facilitating maintenance of the dryer duct assembly.

[0037] In practical applications, those skilled in the art may provide the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 to be fixedly connected via fasteners such as bolts, or may provide the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 to be engaged with each other to form the housing 1. Such adjustments and changes to the specific fastening form between the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 should be included within the protection scope of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0038] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1 to 3, and to FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure taken along line BB in FIG.

[0039] Preferably, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, both the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 of the present invention are provided with fastening holes 15, the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are fixedly connected via bolts, and a sealing part 14 for sealing the housing 1 is provided between the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12.

[0040] In practical applications, those skilled in the art may provide the upper housing 11 as a single unit, or as two-part, or as a plurality of parts. Such adjustments and modifications to the specific installation form of the upper housing 11 should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0041] Preferably, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the upper housing 11 of the present invention includes a first upper housing 1101 and a second upper housing 1102, the first upper housing 1101 being provided on the top of the heating element, and the first upper housing 1101 and the second upper housing 1102 being both fixedly connected to the lower housing 12 via bolts.

[0042] With this installation, the heating element can be inspected by removing the first upper housing 1101 from the lower housing 12 without removing the entire upper housing 11 from the lower housing 12 (as shown in Figures 5 and 6), thereby improving inspection efficiency.

[0043] In actual applications, the air intake 101 is not limited to being provided on the lower housing 12, and the air exhaust 102 may be provided between the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12. For example, the air intake 101 and the air exhaust 102 may both be provided on the lower housing 12, or the air intake 101 and the air exhaust 102 may both be provided on the upper housing 11, or the air intake 101 and the air exhaust 102 may both be provided between the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12. Such adjustments and changes to the specific installation positions of the air intake 101 and the air exhaust 102 do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0044] Furthermore, in practical applications, the air intake 101 is not limited to being provided on the lower housing 12, and for example, the air intake 101 may also be provided on the upper housing 11. Such flexible adjustments and modifications should be included within the protection scope of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0045] Of course, preferably, the intake port 101 is provided in the lower housing 12 and the exhaust port 102 is formed between the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 .

[0046] It should be noted that in practical applications, those skilled in the art may install the fan 2 outside the housing 1 so that the exhaust port communicates with the intake port 101, or may install the fan 2 inside the housing 1 so that the intake port communicates with the intake port 101 and the exhaust port communicates with the inlet end 301 of the heating channel 30. Such adjustments and changes to the specific installation position of the fan 2 do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0047] Preferably, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the fan 2 of the present invention is provided in the housing 1 and is located between the air intake port 101 and the air exhaust port 102, the air intake port of the fan 2 being connected to the air intake port 101, and the air exhaust port of the fan 2 being connected to the inlet end 301 of the heating duct 30.

[0048] By installing the fan 2 in this manner, that is, by providing the fan 2 inside the housing 1, the volume of the dryer duct assembly can be significantly reduced, thereby reducing the installation space of the dryer duct assembly.

[0049] In practical applications, those skilled in the art may configure the heating element as a heating tube with a heating duct 30 formed therein, or as a heating ring with a heating duct 30 formed therein, or as a heating body, a supporting framework wound with a superconducting heating wire or an electromagnetic heating wire ring, and a duct case with a heating duct 30 formed therein, etc. Such adjustments and modifications to the specific installation type of the heating element should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0050] Continuing to refer to Figures 3 and 4, and also to Figures 5 and 6, Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram after the first upper housing in Figure 1 has been hidden, and Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram after part of the insulating case in Figure 5 has been hidden.

[0051] Preferably, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, the heating element of the present invention further includes a supporting skeleton 32 and an insulating case 33, the supporting skeleton 32 and the heating body are both provided in the insulating case 33, the heating duct 30 is formed in the insulating case 33, the heating body is a superconducting heating wire 31, and the superconducting heating wire 31 is wound around the outside of the supporting skeleton 32.

[0052] By installing the heating element in this manner, compared to the form in which the heating element is provided as a heating tube or heating ring, the heating element is provided as a superconducting heating wire 31 wound around the support skeleton 32, which avoids the phenomenon in which the surface of the heating tube becomes red-hot as in the prior art, thereby avoiding safety risks such as burns and fires and significantly improving the safety of the drying duct. In addition, the superconducting heating wire 31 has the advantages of low thermal resistance and high heat exchange efficiency, allowing it to heat up quickly, improving heating efficiency and significantly improving the clothes drying efficiency of the clothing processing equipment. Furthermore, it has the characteristics of rapid heat dissipation and rapid cooling in the event of a power outage, which reduces heat loss, improves heat utilization rate and reduces energy waste.

[0053] It should be noted that in practical applications, the heating body is not limited to being provided as a superconducting heating wire 31, and for example, the heating body may also be provided as a superconducting heating sheet. Such adjustments and changes to the specific installation form of the superconducting heating body should be included within the protection scope of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention. Of course, the heating body is preferably provided as a superconducting heating wire 31.

[0054] Furthermore, in practical applications, those skilled in the art may provide the cross section of the supporting skeleton 32 as a rectangle, or may provide the cross section of the supporting skeleton 32 as a circle, or may provide the cross section of the supporting skeleton 32 as an X-shape. Such adjustments and modifications to the specific installation shape of the supporting skeleton 32 should be included in the protection scope of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0055] Preferably, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, the support skeleton 32 of the present invention includes support plates, the number of which is four, and the four support plates are connected to each other to form the support skeleton 32 having an X-shaped cross section, and a plurality of grooves 322 are provided at the edge positions of the support skeleton 32, and the superconducting heating wire 31 is spirally wound around the X-shaped support skeleton 32 and positioned in the grooves 322 in the support skeleton 32.

[0056] By providing the skeleton 32 with an X-shaped cross section, the contact area between the superconducting heating wire 31 and the skeleton 32 is reduced, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the superconducting heating wire 31 and the drying efficiency of the drying duct. By providing multiple grooves 322 at the edge positions of the skeleton 32 and embedding the superconducting heating wire 31 in the grooves 322, the superconducting heating wire 31 can be prevented from shifting in position and falling off the skeleton 32, thereby improving the stability of the drying duct assembly.

[0057] In practical application, those skilled in the art may provide the four support plates as an integral molding or as an adhesive to each other, and such flexible adjustments and modifications shall be included in the scope of protection of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0058] Preferably, four support plates are provided so as to be integrally formed.

[0059] In practical applications, those skilled in the art may choose to make the scaffold 32 out of a mica material such as a mica sheet, or to make the scaffold 32 out of a ceramic material, or to make the scaffold 32 out of a glass fiber ceramic composite material, etc. Such adjustments and modifications to the specific material of the scaffold 32 should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0060] Preferably, the supporting skeleton 32 is provided to be made from a mica sheet.

[0061] In practical applications, those skilled in the art may make the insulating case 33 out of a mica material such as a mica sheet, or may make the insulating case 33 out of a ceramic material, or may make the insulating case 33 out of a glass fiber ceramic composite material. Such adjustments and changes to the specific material of the insulating case 33 do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0062] Preferably, the insulating case is made of mica material.

[0063] In practical applications, those skilled in the art may fix the insulating case 33 in the housing 1 with fasteners, or may fix the insulating case 33 in the housing 1. Such adjustments and changes to the specific fixing method of the insulating case 33 in the housing 1 do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0064] Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a plurality of engagement limit ribs 13 for engaging the insulating case 33 within the housing 1 are provided within the housing 1 of the present invention.

[0065] Providing a plurality of engagement limit ribs 13 inside the housing 1 makes it easier to engage the insulating case 33 inside the housing 1, and compared to a method of fixing the insulating case 33 inside the housing 1 with fasteners, engaging the insulating case 33 inside the housing 1 reduces the use of fasteners, thereby reducing the number of parts in the drying duct assembly and improving the installation efficiency of the insulating case 33. In addition, providing a plurality of engagement limit ribs 13 allows more of the airflow introduced into the housing 1 by the fan 2 to enter the heating duct 30, thereby increasing the amount of hot air exhausted from the exhaust port 102 and further improving drying efficiency.

[0066] In actual applications, the number of the engaging limit ribs 13 is not limited to a plurality, and may be, for example, two. Such adjustments and changes to the specific number of the engaging limit ribs 13 do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Of course, it is preferable to have a plurality of engaging limit ribs 13.

[0067] Furthermore, in practical applications, those skilled in the art may further configure the temperature control element 7 as an overheat protection switch connected in series with the heating element, with the overheat protection switch 7 configured to cut off the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct 30 exceeds a first set temperature, and the overheat protection switch 7 configured to make the circuit conductive when the temperature in the heating duct 30 is lower than the first set temperature; or the temperature control element 7 may be configured as an overheat fuse switch configured to cut off the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct 30 exceeds a second set temperature; or the temperature control element 7 may be configured as both the overheat protection switch 71 and the overheat fuse switch 72, both connected in series with the heating element. Such adjustments and modifications to the specific installation type of the temperature control element 7 should be included within the protection scope of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0068] 3, the temperature control member 7 of the present invention preferably includes a first overheat protection switch 71 and a second overheat protection switch 72, both of which are connected in series to the heating element. The first overheat protection switch 71 is configured to disconnect the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct 30 exceeds a first set temperature, and is further configured to make the circuit conductive when the temperature in the heating duct 30 is lower than the first set temperature. The second overheat protection switch 72 is configured to disconnect the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct 30 exceeds a second set temperature, and not make the circuit conductive when the temperature in the heating duct 30 is lower than the second set temperature, and the first set temperature is lower than the second set temperature.

[0069] With this configuration, the first overheating protection switch 71 can more accurately detect the hot air temperature in the heating duct 30 and cut off the circuit when the hot air temperature in the heating duct 30 is too high, preventing the superconducting heating wire 31 from continuing to heat up and causing the temperature in the heating duct 30 to continue to rise and deviate from the set temperature. When the hot air temperature in the heating duct 30 is lower than the set temperature, the circuit is turned on, allowing the superconducting heating wire 31 to continue to heat up and raise the temperature in the heating duct 30 to reach the set temperature, thereby more accurately controlling the hot air temperature in the heating duct 30. Furthermore, the second overheating protection switch 72 can fuse and cut off the circuit when it detects that the temperature in the heating duct 30 continues to rise and exceed the second set temperature in the event of a malfunction of the first overheating protection switch 71. This prevents the superconducting heating wire 31 from continuing to heat up and burn the housing, thereby avoiding burns and fires. This provides double overheating protection for the drying duct and improves the safety of the laundry processing machine.

[0070] In practical applications, those skilled in the art may install the temperature control member 7 at the inlet end 301 of the hot air channel 30, or may install the temperature control member 7 in the middle of the hot air channel 30, or may install the temperature control member 7 at the outlet end 302 of the hot air channel 30. Such adjustments and changes to the specific installation position of the temperature control member 7 should be included within the protection scope of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0071] Preferably, the temperature control member 7 is provided in the middle of the hot air channel 30 .

[0072] One end of the superconducting heating wire 31 is connected to a power supply wire 6, and the other end of the superconducting heating wire 31 is wound around the support skeleton 32 and then connected in series to a first overheat protection switch 71 and a second overheat protection switch 72 via the power supply wire 6. The power supply wire 6 protrudes from the housing 1 and is connected to the positive and negative poles of an external power supply to form a conductive circuit. When current is applied, the superconducting heating wire 31 generates heat and heats the airflow in the heating duct 30, and the first overheat protection switch 71 and the second overheat protection switch 72 each detect the temperature in the heating duct 30.

[0073] Furthermore, in practical applications, those skilled in the art may directly install the first overheat protection switch 71 and the second overheat protection switch 72 in the heating duct 30 with the power wire 6, or may install the first overheat protection switch 71 and the second overheat protection switch 72 on the supporting framework 32. Such adjustments and changes to the specific installation positions of the first overheat protection switch 71 and the second overheat protection switch 72 should be included in the protection scope of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0074] Furthermore, in practical applications, those skilled in the art may install the temperature control member 7 so that it is relatively fixed to the support skeleton 32, or may install the temperature control member 7 so that it can be slidably connected to the support skeleton 32, so that the temperature control member 7 can be moved out of the heating duct 30 when performing maintenance on the temperature control member 7. Such adjustments and changes to the specific mounting form of the temperature control member 7 on the support skeleton 32 should be included in the protection scope of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0075] 8 and 9, FIG. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of the heating element of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a structural schematic diagram of the heating element, temperature control element, slide plate and driving means of the present invention.

[0076] Preferably, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the drying duct assembly of the present invention further includes a slide plate 41 on which the temperature control member 7 is mounted, and a drive means 42 configured to drive the slide plate 41 so that it moves relative to the support framework 32 and slides out of the heating duct 30.

[0077] This installation prevents the temperature control member 7 from moving within the heating duct 30 and affecting its accuracy, thereby enabling more accurate detection of hot air within the heating duct 30. Furthermore, when the temperature control member 7 is in normal use, it is attached to the slide plate 41 and moves into the heating duct 30 together with the slide plate 41, facilitating temperature detection within the heating duct 30. When maintenance or replacement of the temperature control member 7 is required, the drive means 42 can drive the slide plate relative to the support framework 32, thereby moving the slide plate 41 out of the heating duct 30, thereby facilitating maintenance of the temperature control member 7 and improving maintenance efficiency.

[0078] In practical application, those skilled in the art may install the sliding plate 41 on one of the support plates and slidably connect it to the support plate, or install the sliding plate 41 between two support plates and slidably connect it to the two support plates. Such adjustments and changes to the specific mounting position of the sliding plate 41 on the support skeleton 32 do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0079] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 8, the sliding plate 41 of the present invention is disposed between two support plates, and sliders 411 are provided on both sides of the sliding plate 41, respectively, and chutes 321 are provided at positions corresponding to the sliders 411 on the two support plates, respectively, and the sliders 411 slide along the chutes 321 to realize a sliding connection between the sliding plate 41 and the support plates.

[0080] Such an installation allows the slide plate 41 to slide stably on the support framework 32, improving the mounting stability of the slide plate 41 on the support framework 32.

[0081] In actual application, the sliding connection between the sliding plate 41 and the supporting skeleton 32 is not limited to being provided with a slider 411 on the sliding plate 41 and a chute 321 on the supporting skeleton 32. For example, the supporting skeleton 32 may further be provided with a slider 411 and a chute 321 on the sliding plate 41, and the slider 411 may slide within the chute 321 to achieve the sliding connection between the sliding plate 41 and the supporting skeleton 32. Such flexible adjustments and modifications do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Of course, it is preferred that the sliding plate 41 be provided with a slider 411 and the supporting skeleton 32 be provided with a chute 321 to achieve the sliding connection between the sliding plate 41 and the supporting skeleton 32.

[0082] Furthermore, in practical applications, those skilled in the art may provide the driving means 42 as a motor, or may provide the driving means 42 as an electromagnetic member, and the sliding plate 41 has magnetic properties, so that when the electromagnetic member is energized, it generates a magnetic attraction force on the sliding plate 41 to move the sliding plate 41 out of the heating duct 30. Such adjustments and modifications to the specific installation type of the driving means 42 do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0083] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 9, the driving means 42 of the present invention includes an electromagnetic member 421, and the sliding plate 41 is magnetic, and when the electromagnetic member 421 is energized, a magnetic attraction force is generated on the sliding plate 41, causing the sliding plate 41 to move out of the heating duct 30, and the driving means 42 further includes an elastic reset member 422 for returning the sliding plate 41 into the heating duct 30 after the electromagnetic member 421 is de-energized.

[0084] By installing the drive means 42 in the electromagnetic member 421 in this manner, compared to installing the drive means 42 in a motor, the use of a motor is unnecessary, thereby reducing the cost of the drive means 42 and further reducing the cost of the drying duct assembly, and also simplifying the structure of the drive means 42 and improving the simplicity of the drying duct assembly.

[0085] It should be noted that in practical applications, those skilled in the art may also provide the elastic reset member 422 on a spring, or on an elastic wire, etc. Such adjustments and modifications to the specific installation type of the elastic reset member 422 should fall within the protection scope of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0086] Preferably, the resilient reset member 422 may be provided as a spring.

[0087] In practical applications, those skilled in the art may make the slider 41 magnetic, or may make a magnetic component on the slider 41 at the side corresponding to the electromagnetic member 421. Such flexible adjustments and modifications do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0088] Preferably, a magnetic part is provided on the side of the slide plate 41 that corresponds to the electromagnetic member 421 .

[0089] 9 , the drying duct assembly of the present invention preferably further includes a first wire take-up member 431 and a second wire take-up member 432 located at both ends of the temperature control member 7, and when the sliding plate 41 is moved out of the heating duct 30, the power wire 6 in the first wire take-up member 431 is released and the sliding plate 41 is moved toward the second wire take-up member 432, and the power wire 6 between the sliding plate 41 and the second wire take-up member 432 is wound around the first wire take-up member 431. When the sliding plate 41 returns to the heating duct 30, the power wire 6 in the second wire take-up member 432 is released and the sliding plate 41 is moved toward the first wire take-up member 431, and the power wire 6 between the sliding plate 41 and the first wire take-up member 431 is wound around the first wire take-up member 431.

[0090] With this installation, when the sliding plate 41 is moved out of the heating duct 30 or returned to the heating duct 30, the power wire 6 can be wound in the first wire winding member 431 or the second wire winding member 432, which prevents the power wire 6 from becoming tangled and also makes maintenance of the temperature control member 7 easier.

[0091] It should be noted that in practical applications, those skilled in the art may configure the first wire winding member 431 and the second wire winding member 432 as an automatic wire winding reel, or may configure the first wire winding member 431 and the second wire winding member 432 as an automatic wire winding device, and such adjustments and modifications to the specific installation types of the first wire winding member 431 and the second wire winding member 432 should be included in the protection scope of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0092] Preferably, both the first wire take-up member 431 and the second wire take-up member 432 are provided as automatic wire take-up devices.

[0093] Hereinafter, the specific structure of the automatic wire winding device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10, taking the first wire winding member 431 as an example.

[0094] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 10 , the first wire winding member 431 includes a wire winding body 4311, a wire winding shaft 4312, and a torsion spring 4313, the wire winding shaft 4312 is attached to the wire winding body 4311 and is rotatably connected to the wire winding body 4311, the torsion spring 4313 is fitted onto the outside of the wire winding shaft 4312, one end of the torsion spring 4313 is fixed to the wire winding shaft 4312 and the other end is fixed to the wire winding body 4311, the wire winding shaft 4312 is provided with a first limit portion 43121 and a second limit portion 43122, and the power wire 6 is wound between the first limit portion 43121 and the second limit portion 43122 of the wire winding shaft 4312.

[0095] When the drying duct assembly is in normal use, the sliding plate 41 is positioned within the heating duct 30, with the torsion spring on the first wire-winding member 431 in a relaxed state and the torsion spring on the second wire-winding member 432 in a tensioned state. If maintenance of the temperature detecting member 7 is required, the driving means 42 drives the sliding plate 41 to move toward the second wire-winding member 432, whereby the power wire 6 in the first wire-winding member 431 is released. Accordingly, the torsion spring of the first wire-winding member 431 gradually changes from a relaxed state to a tensioned state, and the torsion spring of the second wire-winding member 432 gradually changes from a tensioned state to a relaxed state, and the power wire 6 between the sliding plate 41 and the second wire-winding member 432 is wound within the second wire-winding member 432.

[0096] When maintenance on the temperature detection member 7 is completed, the driving means 42 drives the slide plate 41 to move toward the first wire winding member 431, and the power wire 6 in the second wire winding member 432 is released. Accordingly, the torsion spring of the second wire winding member 432 changes from a relaxed state to a tensioned state. As the slide plate 41 moves, the power wire 6 between the first wire winding member 431 and the slide plate 41 is wound within the first wire winding member 431. Accordingly, the torsion spring of the first wire winding member 431 changes from a tensioned state to a relaxed state. During the entire process, the power wire 6 does not relax, preventing it from winding and improving maintenance efficiency.

[0097] 7, which is a partially enlarged schematic view of a portion C in FIG.

[0098] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 7, the drying duct assembly of the present invention further includes a check member 5 that is provided at the exhaust port 102 and is configured to open the exhaust port 102 to allow the airflow in the heating duct 30 to flow out from the exhaust port 102, and further configured to close the exhaust port 102 to prevent foreign objects outside the housing 1 from entering the housing 1 through the exhaust port 102.

[0099] Such installation prevents laundry foam or clothing debris from the clothing processing device from entering the drying duct assembly through the exhaust port 102 when the drying duct assembly is not in operation, thereby avoiding clogging of the drying duct assembly; and when the drying duct assembly is in operation, the exhaust port 102 can be opened to allow the airflow in the heating duct 30 to flow out through the exhaust port 102, facilitating the transport of hot air and thereby avoiding any impact on the normal use of the drying duct assembly.

[0100] It should be noted that in practical applications, those skilled in the art may configure the check member 5 as a motor and a valve plate, such that when the dryer duct assembly is in a non-operating state, the valve plate can close the exhaust port 102, and when the dryer duct assembly is in an operating state, the motor moves the valve plate relative to the housing 1 to open the exhaust port 102; or the check member 5 may be configured as a check valve, such that the check valve is pivotally connected to the housing 1, such that when the dryer duct assembly is in a non-operating state, the check valve abuts against the housing 1 to close the exhaust port 102, and when the dryer duct assembly is in an operating state, the air flow within the housing 1 pushes the check valve to rotate relative to the housing 1 to open the exhaust port 102, thereby facilitating the transport of hot air. Such adjustments and modifications to the specific installation type of the check member 5 do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0101] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, the check member 5 of the present invention includes a sealing substrate 51 and a valve plate 52, each of which is provided in plurality and spaced apart from one another, the sealing substrate 51 being attached to the housing 1 so as to divide the exhaust port 102 into a plurality of exhaust channels, the valve plate 52 being pivotally connected to the housing 1 via a rotating shaft 53, and the valve plate 52 being configured to abut against the sealing substrate 51 to close the exhaust channel when in a first operating state, and to move away from the sealing substrate 51 to open the exhaust channel when in a second operating state.

[0102] By installing the check member 5 as a sealing substrate 51 and a valve plate 52 in this manner, the use of a motor is unnecessary compared to an embodiment in which the check member 5 is provided as a motor and a valve plate, thereby reducing the cost of the check member 5 and further reducing the cost of the drying duct assembly, and further simplifying the structure of the drying duct assembly and making it lighter in weight. In addition, by providing multiple sealing substrates 51 and multiple valve plates 52, the hot air blown out from the exhaust port 102 can be divided into multiple airflows, thereby allowing the hot air to be blown more uniformly into the drying chamber of the laundry processing device and improving the drying effect.

[0103] In actual applications, the number of sealing substrates 51 and valve plates 52 is not limited to a plurality of substrates. For example, the number of sealing substrates 51 may be two, with one valve plate 52 and two sealing substrates 51 located on either side of the valve plate 52, or the number of sealing substrates 51 may be three, with two valve plates 52 and two sealing substrates 51 and valve plates 52 spaced apart from each other. Such adjustments and modifications to the specific numbers of sealing substrates 51 and valve plates 52 do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Of course, it is preferable to have a plurality of sealing substrates 51 and valve plates 52.

[0104] Furthermore, in practical applications, those skilled in the art may choose to make the sealing substrate 51 out of a material with a sealing effect, such as a rubber material, or to provide a sealing pad on the sealing substrate 51, so that when the valve plate 52 contacts the sealing substrate 51, a seal can be achieved between the valve plate 52 and the sealing substrate 51. Such flexible adjustments and modifications do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0105] Preferably, the sealing substrate 51 is made of a rubber material.

[0106] In practical applications, those skilled in the art may provide a fixing structure on the drying duct assembly and attach the drying duct assembly to the garment processing appliance via the fixing structure, or may provide an attachment structure on the drying duct assembly and attach the drying duct assembly to the garment processing appliance via the attachment structure, thereby attaching the drying duct assembly to the garment processing appliance. Such adjustments and changes to the specific attachment form of the drying duct assembly on the garment processing appliance should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0107] Preferably, the drying duct assembly of the present invention further includes a fixing structure provided on the housing 1, through which the drying duct assembly is attached to the clothes treating appliance.

[0108] Such an installation can facilitate the attachment and detachment of the drying duct assembly to the clothes processing apparatus, and can improve the attachment robustness of the drying duct assembly to the clothes processing apparatus.

[0109] In practical application, those skilled in the art may provide the fixing structure as a connecting lug, and insert a bolt into the threaded hole of the connecting lug to attach the drying duct assembly to the laundry processing appliance, or provide the fixing structure as a fixing post, and insert a bolt into the threaded hole of the fixing post to attach the drying duct assembly to the laundry processing appliance. Such flexible adjustments and modifications do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0110] Illustratively, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 6, the fixing structure of the present invention is a fixing post 16 having a bolt hole 161 formed therein for attaching the drying duct assembly to the clothes processing apparatus.

[0111] In practical application, those skilled in the art may configure the laundry treatment device as a laundry dryer, or as a laundry dryer, or as a laundry care device, etc. Such adjustments and modifications to the specific installation type of the laundry treatment device shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention without departing from the principle and scope of the present invention.

[0112] For example, the laundry treatment device may be provided as an integrated washer / dryer.

[0113] Although the technical solutions of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings, it is readily understood by those skilled in the art that the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principle of the present invention, those skilled in the art may make equivalent modifications or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after these modifications or substitutions will all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1. Housing 101 Air intake 102 Exhaust port 11 Upper housing 1101 First upper housing 1102 Second upper housing 12 Lower housing 13 Attachment limit rib 14 Sealing parts 15 Fastening hole 16 Fixed column 161 Bolt holes 2 fans 30 Heating Duct 301 Inlet end 302 Outlet end 31 Superconducting heating wire 32 Supporting skeleton 321 Shoot 322 Groove 33 Insulation case 41 Slide plate 411 Slider 42 Driving means 421 Electromagnetic Components 422 Elastic reset member 431 First wire winding member 4311 Wire winding body 4312 Wire winding shaft 43121 First Limit Section 43122 Second Limit Section 4313 Torsion springs 432 Second wire winding member 5. Check member 51 Sealing substrate 52 Valve plate 53 Rotation axis 6 Power Wires 7 Temperature control materials 71 First overheat protection switch 72 Second overheat protection switch.

Claims

1. 1. A drying duct assembly comprising: a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port; a fan configured to introduce airflow outside the housing into the housing through the air intake; a heating element provided within the housing and positioned between the air intake port and the air exhaust port, the heating element having a heating duct, the inlet end of the heating duct being connected to the air intake port so that airflow entering the housing through the air intake port flows into the heating duct, the heating element including a heating body capable of heating the airflow flowing within the heating duct, and the outlet end of the heating duct being connected to the air exhaust port so that the hot airflow within the heating duct flows out from the air exhaust port; a temperature control member that is provided in the heating duct, connected in series to the heating body of the heating element to form a conductive circuit, detects the temperature in the heating duct, and cuts off the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct is higher than a set temperature.

2. The temperature control member is 2. The drying duct assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a first overheat protection switch connected in series with the heating element and configured to disconnect the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct exceeds a first set temperature, and further configured to conduct the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct is lower than the first set temperature.

3. The temperature control member is 3. The drying duct assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a second overheat protection switch, both of which are connected in series with the heating element and which is configured to disconnect the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct exceeds a second set temperature and to not conduct the circuit when the temperature in the heating duct is lower than the second set temperature, wherein the first set temperature is lower than the second set temperature.

4. 2. The dry duct assembly of claim 1, wherein the heating element further includes a supporting skeleton and an insulating case, the supporting skeleton and the heating body are both provided within the insulating case, the heating duct is formed within the insulating case, the heating body is a superconducting heating wire, and the superconducting heating wire is wound around the outside of the supporting skeleton.

5. The drying duct assembly includes: a slide plate on which the temperature control member is mounted; 5. The drying duct assembly of claim 4, further comprising: a driving means configured to drive the slide plate to move relative to the supporting framework and slide out of the heating duct.

6. the driving means includes an electromagnetic member; the slide plate is magnetic, and when the electromagnetic member is energized, a magnetic attraction force is generated in the slide plate, causing the slide plate to separate from the inside of the heating duct; 6. The drying duct assembly according to claim 5, wherein said driving means further includes a resilient reset member for returning said slide plate into said heating duct after said electromagnetic member is de-energized.

7. the drying duct assembly further includes a first wire take-up member and a second wire take-up member, each of which is located at either end of the temperature control member; 6. The drying duct assembly according to claim 5, wherein, when the slide plate is moved out of the heating duct, the power wire within the first wire take-up member is released and the slide plate is moved toward the second wire take-up member, and the power wire between the slide plate and the second wire take-up member is wound within the second wire take-up member, and when the slide plate is returned into the heating duct, the power wire within the second wire take-up member is released and the slide plate is moved toward the first wire take-up member, and the power wire between the slide plate and the first wire take-up member is wound within the first wire take-up member.

8. The drying duct assembly includes: The drying duct assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a check member provided at the exhaust port, configured to open the exhaust port to allow the airflow in the heating duct to flow out from the exhaust port, and further configured to close the exhaust port to prevent foreign matter outside the housing from entering the housing through the exhaust port.

9. 9. The dryer duct assembly of claim 8, wherein the check member includes a sealing substrate and a valve plate, each of which is provided in plurality and spaced apart from one another, the sealing substrate attached to the housing to divide the exhaust port into a plurality of exhaust channels, and the valve plate pivotally connected to the housing and configured to abut against the sealing substrate to close the exhaust channels in a first operating state and to move away from the sealing substrate to open the exhaust channels in a second operating state.

10. A clothes treatment appliance comprising a drying duct assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images