Dryer

Abstract

The present invention provides a dryer that does not require cleaning components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs, and that can remove dust from the dry air flowing through the air circulation path while preventing a decrease in drying efficiency. [Solution] The cyclone container 1, which constitutes the cyclone mechanism 10 of the dryer, has an inlet 3 into which dry air flows in from the air circulation passage 21a, a swirling section 4 that swirls the dry air around the discharge pipe 2, and a dust collection section 5 that is continuously provided above the swirling section 4 and collects dust in the swirled dry air. The dust collection section 5 is formed around the discharge pipe 2 and near the inner wall surface 1a of the cyclone container 1, and has a lint collection section 6 with a roughly U-shaped vertical cross-section and an opening 6a at the top.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dryer having an air circulation path through which drying air for drying an object to be washed flows in communication with a tank body in which the object to be washed is accommodated.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a dryer provided with a filter for collecting dust and a filter cleaning device for removing dust adhering to the filter is known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] The dryer described in Patent Document 1 can dry clothes and the like by circulating and supplying warm air generated by a blowing means and a heating means through a circulation duct into a rotary drum that is rotatably disposed in a tank body and accommodates clothes and the like. The dryer has a filter cleaning device on the exhaust side of the circulation duct from the tank body. The filter cleaning device includes a cleaning mechanism and a filter body having a filter surface capable of collecting dust from ventilation. The cleaning mechanism has a cleaning body, and the cleaning body has a cleaning member made of a blade and a fixing portion for fixing the cleaning member. The fixing portion has a rotation shaft and a support portion contact portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the dryer described in Patent Document 1, clogging occurs when the amount of dust adhering to the filter surface increases, reducing drying efficiency. Therefore, it was necessary to periodically operate the filter cleaning device to clean the filter surface during dryer operation. Furthermore, since a cleaning member consisting of blades and a rotating mechanism to rotate this cleaning member are essential components for scraping off the dust adhering to the filter surface, this contributed to increasing the manufacturing cost of the dryer.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned conventional problems and to provide a dryer that can reduce manufacturing costs by not requiring cleaning members or a rotating mechanism for rotating cleaning members, while preventing a decrease in drying efficiency and removing dust from the dry air flowing through the air circulation path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the aforementioned conventional problems, the invention of claim 1 provides a dryer comprising: a tank body; a rotating drum provided inside the tank body; a blowing means; a heating means; an air circulation path communicating with the tank body through which drying air for drying an object to be washed flows; and a cyclone mechanism provided in the air circulation path for swirling the drying air to separate dust, wherein the cyclone mechanism comprises a substantially cylindrical cyclone container and a substantially cylindrical container provided inside the cyclone container for discharging drying air into the air circulation path. The cyclone container has an inlet into which the dry air from the air circulation path flows in, a swirling section that swirls the dry air around the discharge pipe, and a dust collection section that is continuously provided above the swirling section and contains dust in the swirled dry air, wherein the dust collection section is formed around the discharge pipe and near the inner wall surface of the cyclone container and has a lint collection section with an opening at the top.

[0008] In the invention of claim 1, by providing a cyclone mechanism in the air circulation path, dust can be separated and collected without the use of cleaning members such as blades, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and preventing a decrease in drying efficiency. Furthermore, by dividing the cyclone container into a swirling section and a dust collection section, and because the dust generated from clothes inside the dryer is very light, the dust collection section is positioned above the swirling section, and the dust collection section is configured to have a lint collection section, the collected dust can be discharged to the outside quickly.

[0009] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the lint collection unit is formed in a substantially annular shape along the inner wall surface of the cyclone container. This makes it possible to improve the dust collection efficiency by utilizing the centrifugal force acting on the dust.

[0010] The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the discharge pipe is provided with a filter body through which dry air can be inserted on its side and / or top surface. This makes it possible to improve the dust collection efficiency.

[0011] The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the dust collection unit has a removable cover attached to the top. This allows for the rapid discharge of the collected dust.

[0012] The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 4, the lint collection unit is fixed to the lid. This allows the lint collection unit to be removed from the outside of the dryer, and the collected dust can be discharged even more quickly.

[0013] The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the lint collection unit has a partition body, and the partition body forms a plurality of compartments. This prevents the collected dust from moving within the lint collection unit due to centrifugal force and also compresses the dust.

[0014] The invention of claim 7 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the inner wall surface of the cyclone container has a dry air guide surface formed such that its diameter gradually decreases toward the bottom side. This allows dry air to be guided from the lower side to the upper side of the swirling section, and dust can be efficiently transferred to the lint collection section.

[0015] The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that, in any of the inventions of claims 1 to 7, the lint collection unit has an inner wall surface, and the inner wall surface has a dust-catching processed surface with an uneven surface to prevent backflow of dust transported from the swirling unit. This prevents the dust collected in the lint collection unit from flying out of the lint collection unit.

[0016] The invention of claim 9 is characterized in that, in any of the inventions of claims 1 to 7, the cyclone mechanism is located near the top surface of the dryer, and either the cyclone container, the dust collection unit, or the lid is detachable from the top surface of the dryer. This allows the collected dust to be quickly discharged to the outside of the dryer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The invention of the dryer according to claim 1 can separate and collect dust without using cleaning members such as blades, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and preventing a decrease in drying efficiency. Furthermore, the collected dust can be quickly discharged to the outside. In addition, the inventions of claims 2 and 3 can improve the dust collection efficiency.

[0018] The inventions of claims 4 and 5 enable rapid discharge of collected dust. Furthermore, the invention of claim 6 prevents the collected dust from moving within the lint collection section due to centrifugal force and also compresses the dust. Furthermore, the invention of claim 7 enables the guidance of dry air from the lower to the upper side of the swirling section, allowing for efficient transfer of dust to the lint collection section.

[0019] The invention according to claim 8 can prevent the dust collected in the lint collection part from moving outside the lint collection part. Further, the invention according to claim 9 can quickly discharge the collected dust to the outside of the dryer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing the dryer according to the present invention [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the dryer according to the present invention [Figure 3] Perspective view showing the first embodiment of the cyclone mechanism constituting the dryer according to the present invention [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view showing the first embodiment of the cyclone mechanism constituting the dryer according to the present invention [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 4 [Figure 6] a) Cross-sectional view showing the second embodiment of the lint collection part b) Cross-sectional view showing the third embodiment of the lint collection part c) Cross-sectional view showing the fourth embodiment of the lint collection part [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view showing the dust discharge operation from the cyclone mechanism [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view showing the second embodiment of the cyclone mechanism

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the dryer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the same dryer. The dryer according to the present invention will be described below using these figures.

[0022] The dryer (washer-dryer) 20 according to the present invention is equipped with a washing function and has a door 20a on the front. Hot air generated by a blower (fan) 23 and a heating means 22 is circulated and supplied to a rotating drum 20b, which is rotatably arranged inside a tub 20d and holds clothes, through air circulation passages 21a, 21b, and 21c to dry clothes. A cyclone mechanism 10 is installed on the exhaust side from the tub 20d of the air circulation passages 21a, 21b, and 21c. The dryer 20 is also equipped with a lid 27 on the lower right front side from which a lint filter 30 can be removed. The lint filter 30 is installed inside a cylindrical filter case 28 provided inside this lid 27. The filter case 28 is connected to the rotating drum 20b by an internal drain hose 25a. The filter case 28 is also connected to a drain pipe 25b equipped with a drain valve 26. With this configuration, when draining water from the tank 20d, the wastewater flows through the internal drain hose 25a into the filter case 28, where the lint filter 30 removes the lint from the wastewater. The wastewater is then discharged outside the dryer 20 through the drain pipe 25b.

[0023] Reference numeral 20c denotes a motor that rotates the rotating drum 20b, and this motor 20c rotates the rotating drum 20b during various processes such as drying, washing, rinsing, and dewatering. Furthermore, a heat exchanger can be used as the heating means 22, for example. Various types of heat exchangers can be adopted, such as heat pump type and heater type. Heating by gas combustion can also be used as the heating means 22. While the dryer 20 is described as a drum type, it is not limited to this, and various types, such as a vertical type, can be adopted.

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the cyclone mechanism constituting the dryer according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view thereof, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 4. The first embodiment of the cyclone mechanism will be described below using these figures.

[0025] As described above, the dryer 20 according to the present invention has a cyclone mechanism 10 provided in the air circulation path that swirls dry air to separate dust, and the cyclone mechanism 10 of the first embodiment has a substantially cylindrical cyclone container 1 and a substantially cylindrical or substantially frustoconical discharge pipe 2 provided inside the cyclone container 1. The discharge pipe 2 discharges the dry air in the cyclone container 1 to the air circulation path 21b.

[0026] The cyclone container 1 has an inlet 3 into which dry air flows in from the air circulation passage 21a, a swirling section 4 that swirls the dry air around the discharge pipe 2, and a dust collection section 5 that is continuously provided above the swirling section 4 and collects dust in the swirled dry air. The dust collection section 5 is formed around the discharge pipe 2 and near the inner wall surface 1a of the cyclone container 1, and has a lint collection section 6 with a roughly U-shaped vertical cross-section and an opening 6a at the top.

[0027] As described above, the dryer 20 according to the present invention has a cyclone mechanism 10 in the air circulation passages 21a and 21b, which allows for the separation and collection of dust X without the use of cleaning members such as blades, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and preventing a decrease in drying efficiency. Furthermore, by dividing the cyclone container 1 into a swirling section 4 and a dust collection section 5, and because the dust X generated from the clothes inside the dryer 20 is very light, the dust collection section 5 is positioned above the swirling section 4, and the dust collection section 5 is configured to have a lint collection section 6, the collected dust can be quickly discharged to the outside. In addition, by forming the opening 6a of the lint collection section 6 upward, dust X that reaches the vicinity of the inner wall surface 1a of the cyclone container 1 above the dust collection section 5 by centrifugal force can be dropped into the lint collection section 6 by its own weight and collected.

[0028] The lint collection unit 6 is formed in a substantially annular shape along the inner wall surface 1a of the cyclone container 1. This allows for increased efficiency in collecting dust X by utilizing the centrifugal force acting on the dust X.

[0029] The discharge pipe 2 is provided with a filter body 7 on its side and top surface, through which dry air can be inserted. The filter body 7 may also be provided on either the side or top surface of the discharge pipe 2; this configuration is also included in the present invention. This allows dust X to adhere to the filter body 7, thereby increasing the recovery efficiency.

[0030] The dust collection unit 5 has a removable lid 8 on its upper side, and the lint collection unit 6 is fixed to the lid 8. This allows the lint collection unit 6 to be removed from the dryer 20, enabling the rapid discharge of the collected dust X. The lint collection unit 6 also has a partition 9, which forms multiple compartments. This prevents the collected dust X from moving within the lint collection unit 6 due to centrifugal force, and also compresses the dust X by being pressed against the partition 9.

[0031] The inner wall surface 1a of the cyclone container 1 has a dry air guide surface 1b that is formed such that its diameter gradually decreases toward the bottom. This allows dry air to be guided from the lower side to the upper side of the swirling section 4. Furthermore, by forming the inlet 3 into which dry air flows in from the air circulation passage 21a on the dry air guide surface 1b, a swirling airflow upwards in the cyclone container 1 can be efficiently generated.

[0032] Figure 6(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the lint collection unit. In the second embodiment, the lint collection unit 16 has an edge on the side away from the inner wall surface of the cyclone container that is widened outward so that the opening 16a side is wider than the bottom side. This makes it easier to transfer dust X that is swirling around the dust collection unit 5 by centrifugal force into the lint collection unit 6. Figure 6(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the lint collection unit. In the third embodiment, the lint collection unit 36 ​​has an edge on the side away from the inner wall surface of the cyclone container that is sharpened. This prevents dust from accumulating near the opening 36a. Figure 6(c) is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the lint collection unit. In the fourth embodiment, the lint collection unit 46 has a dust-capturing processed surface 46b on its inner wall surface that is processed with irregularities to prevent backflow of dust transferred from the swirling unit. This prevents the dust collected in the lint collection unit 46 from flying out of the opening 46a of the lint collection unit 46.

[0033] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the dust discharge operation from the cyclone mechanism. The cyclone mechanism 10 is located near the top surface of the dryer 20, and the lid 8 is located facing the top surface of the dryer 20 (see Figure 1). The lid 8 can be detachably removed from the dryer 20 by grasping the handle 11. As shown in Figure 7, first, the lid 8 and the detachably fixed lint collection unit 6 are removed together from the cyclone container 1 and moved to a trash can or the like (not shown). Next, the lid 8 and the lint collection unit 6 are separated, and the lint collection unit 6 is turned upside down, so that the dust X contained inside the lint collection unit 6 is discharged into the trash can or the like. After that, the lint collection unit 6 is reattached to the lid 8 and combined with the cyclone container 1 from the top side of the dryer 20. Although the description explains the dust discharge operation when the lid 8 and the lint collection unit 6 are removed together, the system is not limited to this. It is also possible to remove only the lid 8 to pick up and discharge the dust X inside the lint collection unit 6, or to remove the detachably fixed cyclone container 1 or dust collection unit 5 together to discharge the dust X from the lint collection unit 6. This allows the collected dust to be quickly discharged to the outside of the dryer 20.

[0034] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the cyclone mechanism. In the second embodiment, the cyclone mechanism 40 is configured such that the inner wall surface 41a of the cyclone container 41 is shared with the inner wall surface on one side of the lint collection unit 56. This allows dust X that reaches the inner wall surface 41a due to centrifugal force to fall by its own weight and be efficiently collected in the lint collection unit 56. The other configurations are the same as those of the cyclone mechanism in the first embodiment and will not be described further. [Industrial applicability]

[0035] The dryer according to the present invention is used as a device for drying objects to be washed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 1.41 Cyclone container 1a, 41a Inner wall surface 1b Dry air induction surface 2 Discharge pipe 3 Inlet 4. Swivel section 5. Dust collection unit 6, 16, 36, 46, 56 Lint Recovery Units 6a, 16a, 36a, 46a opening 7 Filters 8 Lid 9 partitions 10, 40 Cyclone mechanism 11 Handle section 20. Dryer (Washer-dryer) 20a Door 20b Rotating Drum 20c motor 20d tank body 21a, 21b, 21c Air circulation path 22 Heating means 23. Air blowing means (fan) 25a In-flight drain hose 25b Drain pipe 26 Drain valve 27 Lid 28 Filter Case 30 lint filters 46b Dust trapping surface X Dust

Claims

1. A tank body, a rotating drum provided inside the tank body, A means of blowing air, a means of heating, An air circulation path, which communicates with the aforementioned tank body and through which drying air flows to dry the object to be washed, In a dryer having a cyclone mechanism provided in the air circulation path for swirling the dry air to separate dust, The cyclone mechanism described above is A roughly cylindrical cyclone container, The cyclone container has a substantially cylindrical or substantially frustoconical discharge pipe provided inside it for discharging dry air into an air circulation path, The cyclone container is, It has an inlet into which the dry air from the air circulation path flows in, and a swirling section that swirls the dry air around the discharge pipe, It has a dust collection unit that is continuously provided above the swirling unit and collects dust in the swirling dry air, The dust collection section is formed around the discharge pipe and near the inner wall surface of the cyclone container, and has a lint recovery section with an opening at the top.

2. The lint recovery section is formed in a substantially annular shape along the inner wall surface of the cyclone container, according to claim 1.

3. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein the discharge pipe is provided with a filter body through which dry air can be inserted on its side and / or top surface.

4. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein the dust collection section has a removable cover attached to the top.

5. The lint recovery unit is fixed to the lid, as described in claim 4 of the dryer.

6. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein the lint recovery section has a partition body, and the partition body forms a plurality of compartments.

7. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall surface of the cyclone container has a dry air guide surface formed such that its diameter gradually decreases toward the bottom side.

8. The lint collection section has an inner wall surface, and the inner wall surface has a dust-catching processed surface with an uneven surface to prevent backflow of dust transferred from the swirling section, according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cyclone mechanism is located near the top surface of the dryer, and either the cyclone container, the dust collection unit, or the lid is detachable from the top side of the dryer.

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