Dryer

Abstract

The present invention provides a dryer that can remove dust from the dry air flowing through the air circulation path while preventing a decrease in drying efficiency, and that can prevent dust from sticking to the cyclone container. [Solution] In a dryer having a cyclone mechanism 10, the cyclone mechanism 10 includes a cyclone container 1 with an inner surface 1a that is substantially cylindrical, a substantially cylindrical discharge pipe 2 provided inside the cyclone container 1 that discharges air to the downstream pipe 3 of the air circulation path, and an inlet 5 connected to the side of the cyclone container that allows air to flow in from the upstream pipe 4 of the air circulation path, with the side surface 1b of the cyclone container 1 and the side surface 4a of the upstream pipe 4 of the air circulation path being in contact with each other.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

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

[0003] The dryer described in Patent Document 1 is configured such that hot air generated by a blowing unit and a heating unit is circulated and supplied through a circulation duct into a rotary drum that is rotatably disposed in a tank body and accommodates clothes and the like, so that the clothes and the like can be dried. The dryer further has a filter cleaning device on the exhaust side of the circulation duct from the tank body, and the filter cleaning device has 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 composed of a blade and a fixing part for fixing the cleaning member, and the fixing part has a rotating shaft and a support part abutting part.

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] Therefore, as shown in the perspective view of the cyclone mechanism in Figure 7(a) and the longitudinal section view thereof in Figure 7(b), the applicant has proposed a dryer having air circulation passages 73 and 74 that communicate with the tank body and through which drying air flows to dry the object to be washed, and a cyclone mechanism 70 provided in the air circulation passages 73 and 74 that swirls the drying air to separate dust, wherein the cyclone mechanism 70 has a substantially cylindrical cyclone container 71 and a substantially cylindrical discharge passage 72 provided inside the cyclone container 71, the discharge passage 72 has an outlet 75 for discharging the drying air to the air circulation passage 73, and the cyclone container 71 has an inlet 76 through which the drying air from the air circulation passage 74 flows in, and a swirling section 71b with a substantially cylindrical inner wall surface 71a that swirls the drying air between itself and the discharge passage 72.

[0007] However, the cyclone mechanism 70 of the dryer shown in Figures 7(a) and (b) had the potential for dust (lint) to stick to the bottom surface 71c of the cyclone container 71 because the dust (lint) after washing and drying contains a lot of moisture, and for water Y to accumulate on the bottom surface 71c of the cyclone container 71 due to moisture flowing in from the drum, which could then attract dust X.

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems of the conventional invention and to provide a dryer that can reduce manufacturing costs by not requiring cleaning members or a rotating mechanism for rotating cleaning members as in the conventional invention, can remove dust from the dry air flowing through the air circulation path while preventing a decrease in drying efficiency, and can also prevent dust from sticking to the cyclone container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] 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 air for drying an object to be washed flows; a dehumidifying means provided in the air circulation path for dehumidifying moisture contained in the air; and a cyclone mechanism provided in the air circulation path for swirling air to separate dust, wherein the cyclone mechanism comprises: a cyclone container with a substantially cylindrical inner surface; a substantially cylindrical or substantially frustoconical discharge pipe provided inside the cyclone container for discharging air to the downstream piping of the air circulation path; and an inlet connected to the side surface of the cyclone container for air to flow in from the upstream piping of the air circulation path, wherein the side surface of the cyclone container and the side surfaces of the upstream and / or downstream piping of the air circulation path are arranged in contact with each other.

[0010] The invention of the dryer according to claim 1 has a cyclone mechanism that separates dust by swirling the air, thereby reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for conventional cleaning members and a rotating mechanism to rotate the cleaning members, and removing dust from the dry air flowing through the air circulation path while preventing a decrease in drying efficiency. Furthermore, since the side surface of the cyclone container and the side surfaces of the upstream and / or downstream piping of the air circulation path are in contact, the cyclone container is heated from the side by utilizing the heat from the side surfaces of the piping of the air circulation path, which is warmed by the circulating hot air, thereby warming the entire cyclone container and preventing dust from sticking to it. In addition, since the air stagnating near the inner bottom surface of the cyclone container can be heated, the accumulation of water on the inner bottom surface of the cyclone container can be suppressed.

[0011] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the outer surface of the cyclone container and the outer surface of the upstream and / or downstream piping of the air circulation path are in surface contact with each other. This makes it possible to efficiently increase the heat transferred to the cyclone container and further prevent dust from adhering to the cyclone container.

[0012] The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the cyclone container has a swirling section that causes air flowing in from the inlet to swirl between itself and the discharge pipe, and a dust collection section provided continuously with the swirling section to contain dust in the swirled air, wherein the outer surface of the dust collection section and the outer surface of the upstream and / or downstream piping of the air circulation path are in surface contact. This makes it possible to effectively evaporate moisture from the dust contained in the dust collection section of the cyclone container and further prevent dust from sticking to the cyclone container.

[0013] The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 3, the cyclone container is positioned with its bottom facing downwards, and its longitudinal direction is within 90 degrees from the vertical to the horizontal, and the upstream and / or downstream piping of the air circulation path is in surface contact with the outer surface of the bottom of the cyclone container. This allows the dust collection section to be effectively heated in accordance with the installation position of the cyclone container, and further prevents dust from adhering to the cyclone container.

[0014] The invention of claim 5 is a dryer having 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 and through which air for drying the object to be washed flows, a dehumidifying means provided in the air circulation path for dehumidifying the air, and a cyclone mechanism provided in the air circulation path for swirling air to separate dust, wherein the cyclone mechanism comprises a cyclone container having a substantially cylindrical inner surface, and provided inside the cyclone container, the air circulation The air circulation system has a discharge pipe that is substantially cylindrical or has a substantially frustoconical outer shape for discharging air to the downstream piping of the ring passage, and an inlet connected to the side of the cyclone container for air to flow in from the upstream piping of the air circulation passage, and the cyclone container has a swirling section that swirls the air flowing in from the inlet between itself and the discharge pipe, and a dust collection section provided continuously with the swirling section for collecting dust in the swirled air, and is characterized by having a heat source means that transmits heat from the outside near the dust collection section.

[0015] The invention of the dryer according to claim 5 has a cyclone mechanism that separates dust by swirling the air, thereby eliminating the need for conventional cleaning members and a rotating mechanism to rotate the cleaning members, which reduces manufacturing costs and removes dust from the dry air flowing through the air circulation path while preventing a decrease in drying efficiency. In addition, the dust collection section of the cyclone container can be reliably heated from the outside by the heat source means, preventing dust from sticking to the dust collection section of the cyclone container. Furthermore, since the air lingering near the inner bottom surface of the cyclone container can be reliably heated, the accumulation of water on the inner bottom surface of the cyclone container can be suppressed.

[0016] The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 5, the heat source means is in the shape of a sheet, and the outer surface of the heat source means is in surface contact with the outer surface of the cyclone container. This makes the heat source means more compact, efficiently increases the amount of heat transferred to the cyclone container, further prevents dust from adhering to the cyclone container, and further suppresses the accumulation of water on the inner bottom surface of the cyclone container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The dryer inventions of claims 1 and 5 can reduce manufacturing costs by not requiring cleaning members or a rotating mechanism for rotating cleaning members as in the conventional method, and can remove dust from the dry air flowing through the air circulation path while preventing a decrease in drying efficiency. Furthermore, by warming the cyclone container, it is possible to prevent dust from sticking to the cyclone container. In addition, the inventions of claims 2 to 4 and 6 can further prevent dust from sticking to the cyclone container. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing a 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] (a) Perspective view showing a first embodiment of the cyclone mechanism constituting the dryer according to the present invention (b) Longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the cyclone mechanism [Figure 4] (a) Perspective view showing a second embodiment of the cyclone mechanism constituting the dryer according to the present invention (b) Longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the cyclone mechanism [Figure 5] (a) Perspective view showing a third embodiment of the cyclone mechanism constituting the dryer according to the present invention (b) Longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the cyclone mechanism [Figure 6] (a) Perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the cyclone mechanism constituting the dryer according to the present invention (b) Longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the cyclone mechanism [Figure 7] (a) A perspective view showing the cyclone mechanism of a conventional dryer (b) A vertical cross-sectional view thereof

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the dryer according to the present invention, and Figure 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 with reference to these drawings.

[0020] The dryer (washing and drying machine) 20 according to the present invention has a washing function, is provided with a door 20a on the front surface, and hot air generated by a blowing means (fan) 23 and a heating means 22 is circulated and supplied through air circulation paths 21a, 21b, 21c into a rotating drum 20b that is rotatably disposed in a tank body 20d and accommodates clothes and the like, so that the clothes can be dried, and a cyclone mechanism 10 is installed on the exhaust side from the tank body 20d of the air circulation paths 21a, 21b, 21c. In addition, a lid 27 from which the lint filter 30 can be taken out is provided at the lower right portion on the front side of the dryer 20, and the lint filter 30 is installed in a cylindrical filter case 28 provided inside the lid 27. The filter case 28 communicates with the rotating drum 20b via an in-machine drain hose 25a. The filter case 28 also communicates with a drain pipe 25b provided with a drain valve 26. With this configuration, when draining water from the tank body 20d, the drain water flows into the filter case 28 through the in-machine drain hose 25a, and lint in the drain water is removed by the lint filter 30. Then, the drain water is discharged to the outside of the dryer 20 through the drain pipe 25b.

[0021] 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. In addition, a heat exchanger can be used as the heating means 22, and the heat exchanger also functions as a dehumidifying means that removes moisture contained in the air in the air circulation passage 21b, so the drain water generated by this dehumidifying means is discharged to the outside from the dryer. Various types of heat exchangers can be adopted, such as heat pump type and heater type. Heating by gas combustion can also be adopted as the heating means 22. In addition, although the dryer 20 is a drum type, it is not limited to this and various types such as vertical type can be adopted. Furthermore, a dehumidifying means that removes moisture contained in the air in the air circulation passage 21b may be provided separately from the heating means 22. The cyclone container that constitutes the cyclone mechanism 10 can be removed to the outside by opening the handle 11 of the dryer 20.

[0022] Figure 3(a) is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the cyclone mechanism constituting the dryer according to the present invention, and Figure 3(b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the first embodiment of the cyclone mechanism. The first embodiment of the cyclone mechanism will be described below using these figures. Note that the arrows in Figure 3(b) indicate the flow of air.

[0023] The cyclone mechanism 10 of the first embodiment includes a cyclone container 1 with an inner surface 1a that is substantially cylindrical, a substantially cylindrical discharge pipe 2 provided inside the cyclone container 1 for discharging air to the downstream piping 3 of the air circulation path, and an inlet 5 connected to the side of the cyclone container 1 for air to flow in from the upstream piping 4 of the air circulation path, with the side surface 1b of the cyclone container 1 and the side surface 4a of the upstream piping 4 of the air circulation path being in contact with each other. Although the discharge pipe 2 for discharging air is substantially cylindrical, a discharge pipe with an outer shape that is substantially frustoconical may also be used.

[0024] The dryer according to the present invention has a cyclone mechanism 10 that separates dust by swirling air, thereby eliminating the need for conventional cleaning members and rotating mechanisms to rotate cleaning members, thus reducing manufacturing costs and preventing a decrease in drying efficiency while removing dust from the dry air flowing through the air circulation path. Furthermore, since the side surface 1b of the cyclone container 1 and the side surface 4a of the upstream piping 4 of the air circulation path are in contact with each other, the heat from the side surface 4a of the upstream piping 4 of the air circulation path, which is heated by the circulating hot air, is used to heat the cyclone container 1 from the side, warming the entire cyclone container and preventing dust X from sticking to it. In addition, since the air lingering near the inner bottom surface 1f of the cyclone container 1 can be heated, the accumulation of water on the inner bottom surface 1f of the cyclone container 1 can be suppressed.

[0025] More specifically, the outer surface 1c that constitutes the side surface 1b of the cyclone container 1 and the outer surface 4b that constitutes the side surface 4a of the upstream piping 4 of the air circulation path are in surface contact.

[0026] More specifically, the cyclone container 1 has a swirling section 1d that causes the air flowing in from the inlet 5 to swirl between itself and the discharge pipe 2, and a dust collection section 1e that is continuously provided with the swirling section 1d and collects dust X in the swirled air. The outer surface 1c of the cyclone container 1 where the dust collection section 1e is located is in surface contact with the outer surface 4b of the upstream piping 4 of the air circulation path. This efficiently increases the heat transferred to the cyclone container 1, thereby further preventing dust X from adhering to the inner surface 1a of the cyclone container 1. In addition, the air stagnating near the inner bottom surface 1f of the cyclone container 1 can be effectively warmed, further suppressing the accumulation of water on the inner bottom surface 1f of the cyclone container 1.

[0027] Figure 4(a) is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the cyclone mechanism constituting the dryer according to the present invention, and Figure 4(b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the second embodiment of the cyclone mechanism. The second embodiment of the cyclone mechanism will be described below using these figures. Note that the arrows in Figure 4(b) indicate the flow of air.

[0028] The cyclone mechanism 40 of the second embodiment includes a cyclone container 41 with an inner surface 41a that is substantially cylindrical, a substantially cylindrical discharge pipe 42 provided inside the cyclone container 41 that discharges air to the downstream piping 43 of the air circulation path, and an inlet 45 connected to the side of the cyclone container 41 into which air flows in from the upstream piping 44 of the air circulation path. The side surface 41b of the cyclone container 41 and the respective side surfaces 44a and 43a of the upstream piping 44 and downstream piping 43 of the air circulation path are arranged in contact with each other. Although the discharge pipe for discharging air is substantially cylindrical 42, a discharge pipe with an outer shape that is substantially frustoconical may also be used.

[0029] More specifically, the outer surface 41c that constitutes the side surface 41b of the cyclone container 41 is in surface contact with the outer surfaces 44b and 43b that constitute the respective side surfaces 44a and 43a of the upstream and downstream pipes 44 and 43 of the air circulation path, respectively.

[0030] More specifically, the cyclone container 41 has a swirling section 41d that causes the air flowing in from the inlet 45 to swirl between itself and the discharge pipe 42, and a dust collection section 41e that is continuously provided with the swirling section 41d and collects dust in the swirled air. The outer surface 41c of the cyclone container 41 where the dust collection section 41e is located is in surface contact with the outer surfaces 44b and 43b of the upstream pipe 44 and the downstream pipe 43 of the air circulation path, respectively. This allows the cyclone container 41 to be heated efficiently, further preventing dust X from adhering to the inner surface 41a of the cyclone container 41. In addition, the air stagnating near the inner bottom surface of the cyclone container 1 can be heated efficiently, further suppressing the accumulation of water on the inner bottom surface of the cyclone container 41. Furthermore, by positioning the surfaces of the upstream pipe 44 and the downstream pipe 43 that make surface contact with the cyclone container 41 to opposite positions on either side of the cyclone container 41, the cyclone container 41 can be heated more efficiently.

[0031] Figure 5(a) is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the cyclone mechanism constituting the dryer according to the present invention, and Figure 5(b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the third embodiment of the cyclone mechanism. The third embodiment of the cyclone mechanism will be described below using these figures. Note that the arrows in Figure 5(b) indicate the flow of air.

[0032] In the third embodiment of the cyclone mechanism 50, the cyclone container 51 is positioned with its bottom surface 56 facing downwards, and its longitudinal direction is at a 90-degree angle from the vertical to the horizontal. The outer surface 54a of the upstream piping 54 of the air circulation path is in surface contact with the outer surface 56a of the bottom surface 56 of the cyclone container. Furthermore, the present invention includes configurations where the bottom surface 56 faces downwards and the longitudinal direction is at a 90-degree angle from the vertical to the horizontal, in order to accommodate the space available for the dryer's cyclone container. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment of the cyclone mechanism and will not be described further. This allows for effective heating of the dust collection section 51a in accordance with the installation position of the cyclone container 51, further preventing dust from adhering to the cyclone container 51.

[0033] Figure 6(a) is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the cyclone mechanism constituting the dryer according to the present invention, and Figure 6(b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the fourth embodiment of the cyclone mechanism. The fourth embodiment of the cyclone mechanism will be described below using these figures. Note that the arrows in Figure 6(b) indicate the flow of air.

[0034] The cyclone mechanism 60 of the fourth embodiment has a cyclone container 61 which has a swirling section 61d that swirls the air flowing in from the inlet 65 between itself and the discharge pipe 62, and a dust collection section 61e which is provided continuously with the swirling section 61d and contains dust in the swirled air, and a heat source means 7 that transmits heat from the outside is provided near the dust collection section 61e.

[0035] Furthermore, the heat source means 7 is in sheet shape, and its outer surface 7a is in surface contact with the outer surface 61c of the cyclone container 61. This ensures that the dust collection section 61e of the cyclone container 61 is reliably heated from the outside by the heat source means 7, while also allowing the heat source means 7 to be made compact and efficiently increasing the heat transferred to the cyclone container 61, thereby further preventing dust from adhering to the cyclone container 61.

[0036] Furthermore, similar to the cyclone mechanism of the first embodiment, the cyclone container 61 has surface contact between its outer surface 61c, where the dust collection section 61e is located, and the outer surface 64b of the upstream piping 64 of the air circulation path. This, in combination with the heat source means 7, allows the entire cyclone container 61 to be heated more efficiently, preventing dust X from adhering to the cyclone container 61. In addition, the air lingering near the inner bottom surface 61f of the cyclone container 61 can be heated more reliably, thus suppressing the accumulation of water on the inner bottom surface 61f of the cyclone container.

[0037] Furthermore, while the cyclone mechanism 40 of the second embodiment described in Figure 4 has a configuration in which the outer surface 41c of the cyclone container 41 where the dust collection section 41e is located and the outer surfaces 44b and 43b of the upstream pipe 44 and downstream pipe 43 of the air circulation path, respectively, are in surface contact, the present invention also includes a configuration in which only the outer surface 41c of the cyclone container 41 and the outer surface 43b of the downstream pipe 43 are in surface contact. Similarly, the present invention also includes configurations in which the configuration of the cyclone mechanism 40 of the second embodiment is appropriately combined with the configuration of the cyclone mechanism 50 of the third embodiment or the configuration of the cyclone mechanism 60 of the fourth embodiment. [Industrial applicability]

[0038] The dryer according to the present invention is used as a device for drying objects to be washed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1, 41, 51, 61, 71 Cyclone containers 1a Inner surface 1b side 1c outer surface 1d Swivel section 1e Dust collection unit 1f Inner bottom surface 2 Discharge pipe 3 Downstream piping 4. Upstream piping 4a Side view of the upstream piping 4b Outer surface of the upstream piping 5 Inlet 7 Heat source means 10, 40, 50, 60, 70 Cyclone mechanism 11 Handle 12 Spiral rib body 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 X Dust Y water

Claims

1. A tank body, a rotating drum installed inside the tank body, a blowing means, a heating means, An air circulation path, which communicates with the aforementioned tank body and through which air flows to dry the object to be washed, A dehumidifying means is provided within the aforementioned air circulation path to remove moisture contained in the air, In a dryer having a cyclone mechanism provided in the aforementioned air circulation path for swirling air to separate dust, The cyclone mechanism comprises a cyclone container with a substantially cylindrical inner surface, a substantially cylindrical or substantially frustoconical discharge pipe provided inside the cyclone container for discharging air to the downstream piping of the air circulation path, and an inlet connected to the side of the cyclone container for the inflow of air from the upstream piping of the air circulation path. A dryer in which the side surface of the cyclone container and the side surfaces of the upstream and / or downstream piping of the air circulation path are in contact.

2. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the cyclone container and the outer surface of the upstream and / or downstream piping of the air circulation path are in surface contact with each other.

3. The cyclone container has a swirling section that causes the air flowing in from the inlet to swirl between itself and the discharge pipe, and a dust collection section that is provided continuously with the swirling section and contains dust in the swirling air. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the dust collection section and the outer surface of the upstream and / or downstream piping of the air circulation path are in surface contact.

4. The cyclone container is positioned with its bottom facing downwards, and its longitudinal direction is within 90 degrees from the vertical to the horizontal. The dryer according to claim 3, wherein the upstream and / or downstream piping of the air circulation path is in surface contact with the outer surface on the bottom side of the cyclone container.

5. A tank body, a rotating drum installed inside the tank body, a blowing means, a heating means, An air circulation path, which communicates with the aforementioned tank body and through which air flows to dry the object to be washed, A dehumidifying means is provided within the aforementioned air circulation path to remove moisture contained in the air, In a dryer having a cyclone mechanism provided in the aforementioned air circulation path for swirling air to separate dust, The cyclone mechanism comprises a cyclone container with a substantially cylindrical inner surface, a substantially cylindrical or substantially frustoconical discharge pipe provided inside the cyclone container for discharging air to the downstream piping of the air circulation path, and an inlet connected to the side of the cyclone container for the inflow of air from the upstream piping of the air circulation path. The cyclone container has a swirling section that swirls the air flowing in from the inlet between itself and the discharge pipe, and a dust collection section that is provided continuously with the swirling section and contains dust in the swirled air. A dryer equipped with a heat source means that transmits heat from the outside near the dust collection section.

6. The dryer according to claim 5, wherein the heat source means is in the shape of a sheet, and the outer surface of the heat source means is in surface contact with the outer surface of the cyclone container.

Images