dryer

Abstract

To provide a technology that prevents leakage of an electromagnetic wave in drying objects to be dried by applying the electromagnetic wave.SOLUTION: A drum-type dryer 60 comprises a housing 1, a drum 3 rotatably installed inside the housing 1, and a microwave irradiation part 30 irradiating objects to be dried in the drum 3 with microwave. A shield part for preventing leakage of the microwave from the housing 1 includes the drum 3 at least.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dryer for drying an object to be dried. [Background technology]

[0002] One method for speeding up the drying performance of clothes dryers and washer-dryers is to use microwaves as a heat source to heat the moisture in the clothes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The washing machine with a high-frequency electromagnetic wave heating dryer disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a metal surface on the inner surfaces of the body, lower opening, and upper opening to prevent leakage of high-frequency electromagnetic waves, the drying parts of the high-frequency electromagnetic wave heating dryer are installed in the lower opening, the metal surface is applied to the inner surface of the water tank to improve heating efficiency, air is blown using an air duct to improve drying efficiency, the moist air is cooled in the water tank, condenses, and the dry air is discharged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-293281 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To improve drying efficiency, dryers rotate the tank containing the objects to be dried during drying, so a technology is needed to suppress electromagnetic wave leakage even when the tank is rotating.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a technique for suppressing leakage of electromagnetic waves when an object to be dried is dried by irradiating the object with electromagnetic waves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The dryer according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a drum rotatably disposed within the housing and configured to accommodate an object to be dried, and a microwave irradiation unit configured to irradiate microwaves onto the object to be dried within the drum. A shielding unit configured to prevent microwaves from leaking from the housing includes at least the drum. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the dryer of the present disclosure, leakage of electromagnetic waves can be suppressed when drying an object to be dried by irradiating the object with electromagnetic waves. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to a third embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to a seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0010] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0012] [1-1.Configuration] FIG. 1A is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to embodiment 1. FIG. 1B is a schematic transverse sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to embodiment 1. A drum dryer 60 according to this embodiment has a function of drying items to be dried, such as clothes. The left side of FIG. 1 is the front side of the drum dryer 60. Although not shown, an air circulation device may be provided to promote drying.

[0013] Drum-type dryer 60 has a function of irradiating microwaves, a type of electromagnetic wave, onto an object to be dried inside a drum. First, the basic configuration and operation of drum-type dryer 60 will be described. Then, details of the shielding section that suppresses leakage of microwaves from the housing when irradiating microwaves in drum-type dryer 60 will be described.

[0014] A drum 3, which accommodates items to be dried such as clothes, is rotatably provided as a rotating body inside a housing 1 of a drum-type dryer 60. The drum 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The drum 3 is provided so that a rotation axis 14 is horizontal. In another example, the drum 3 may be provided so that the rotation axis 14 is inclined upward from the horizontal, or so that the rotation axis 14 is vertical.

[0015] A drive motor 6 is attached below the drum 3. The drive motor 6 rotates the belt 15 while the object to be dried is being dried, thereby rotating the drum 3 in the forward or reverse direction around the rotation shaft 14.

[0016] An opening 19 and a door 5 for opening and closing the opening 19 are provided on the front of the housing 1 at a position opposite the open end of the drum 3. A user can put materials to be dried into or take them out of the drum 3 by opening the door 5.

[0017] The drum 3 has a front portion 3a and a rear portion 3b. The front portion 3a has a drum opening 3c located opposite the opening 19 of the housing 1. The rear portion 3b is located rearward of the front portion 3a. The front portion 3a may be the top portion of the drum 3 formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. In this case, the rear portion 3b may be the side and bottom portions of the cylinder. The front portion 3a may include not only the top portion of the cylinder but also a front portion of the side portion. In this case, the rear portion 3b may be the remaining rear portion of the side portion of the cylinder and the bottom portion. The rear portion 3b may include not only the side and bottom portions of the drum 3 but also a portion of the side of the top portion. In this case, the front portion 3a may be the remaining portion of the top portion of the cylinder on the side of the drum opening 3c. The front portion 3a and the rear portion 3b may be manufactured integrally, or may be manufactured separately and then connected to form the drum 3.

[0018] A cylindrical communication part 26 is provided between the drum 3 and the door body 5. The communication part 26 is a fixed part that is fixed to the housing 1 and does not rotate together with the drum 3.

[0019] A microwave irradiator 30, a waveguide 34, and a microwave irradiation port 32 are provided in the communication section 26. The microwave irradiator 30, which constitutes a heating section that heats the material to be dried, irradiates microwaves from the microwave irradiation port 32 via the waveguide 34 into the drum 3, thereby heating the moisture contained in the material to be dried inside the drum 3. Because the microwave irradiator 30 and the waveguide 34 are provided in the communication section 26, vibration of the microwave irradiator 30 and the waveguide 34 can be suppressed even when the drum 3 is rotated during drying. This improves the stability and safety of microwave irradiation.

[0020] The microwave irradiator 30 may be a microwave oscillator such as a magnetron, and oscillates electromagnetic waves with a frequency in the 2.45 GHz band, for example. Note that the frequency is not limited to the 2.45 GHz band allocated as an ISM (Industry, Science, and Medical) band, and electromagnetic waves with a frequency in the 915 MHz band or other similarly allocated band may also be used.

[0021] Of the microwaves irradiated into the drum 3, a portion of the microwaves that is not absorbed by the moisture contained in the material to be dried returns as reflected waves from the drum 3 to the microwave irradiator 30 via the microwave irradiation port 32 and the waveguide 34. A reflector may be provided to reflect some or all of the reflected waves that are reflected from the drum 3 and travel in a direction returning to the microwave irradiator 30, and to allow them to enter the drum 3 again together with the microwaves irradiated from the microwave irradiator 30. This reduces energy loss and shortens the drying time.

[0022] A heater may be further provided as a heating unit for heating the objects to be dried. The microwave irradiation unit 30 and the heater may be energized simultaneously, or either one may be energized. If the objects to be dried, such as clothing, have metal parts such as buttons or zippers that are likely to cause sparks, the output of the microwaves irradiated into the drum 3 from the microwave irradiation unit 30 may be reduced or stopped, and drying may be switched to using a heater.

[0023] A control device 20 is provided in the housing 1. The control device 20 controls the drive motor 6, the microwave radiating unit 30, etc. The control device 20 controls the drying operation according to instructions input by the user.

[0024] In the drum dryer 60 of this embodiment, microwaves are irradiated into the drum 3, so it is necessary to configure the drum dryer 60 so that the intensity of the electromagnetic waves leaking outside the drum dryer 60 is equal to or less than the standard value established in the region where it is used. Therefore, the drum dryer 60 of this embodiment is provided with a shielding section to suppress leakage of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the microwave irradiation port 32.

[0025] As a standard for leakage electromagnetic waves, for example, there is the Japanese Industrial Standard "JIS C9250" which specifies microwave ovens with a rated high frequency output of 2kW or less that heat food using electromagnetic waves (microwaves) in the 2.45GHz frequency band, and microwave ovens with additional devices. 5.8 of the standard states that "The power density of leakage electromagnetic waves measured by the power density test for leakage electromagnetic waves specified in 8.2.12 of the standard shall be 1mW / cm when the door is closed. 2 (2) When the door is opened to the maximum position just before the oscillation stop device of the oscillator tube operates, the output is 5 mW / cm 2 (3) 5mW / cm or less when the oscillation stop device other than the main oscillation stop device is restrained. 2 The law stipulates that the electrical appliances must be less than 100% of the specified value. Furthermore, the notice on the interpretation of the "Ministerial Ordinance Prescribing Technical Standards for Electrical Appliances and Materials" stipulates that the technical standards prescribed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Ordinance, as stipulated in Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act, also stipulates almost the same content in Item 2(95) of Appendix 8 of the notice. It is believed that the same standards as for microwave ovens also apply to washer-dryers.

[0026] The World Health Organization (WHO) has also recommended that the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines, which were compiled based on scientific evidence by experts from around the world, be adopted as exposure limits for human protection. These guidelines set the exposure limit at 0.08 W / kg (1 mW / cm 2 ) is specified. The international standard "IEC62233" established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the Japanese Industrial Standard "JIS 1912" established based on it specify methods for measuring electromagnetic fields related to human exposure from household electrical appliances and similar devices. In the measurement method specified in the standard, the electromagnetic field is measured as a percentage of the exposure limit value by weighting the signal from the sensor that detects the electromagnetic field, and if the result does not exceed the exposure limit value specified in the ICNIRP guidelines, it is determined to be in compliance with the ICNIRP guidelines. The shielding section is designed to comply with these standards.

[0027] In a microwave oven, the storage compartment that holds the object to be heated is fixed and no significant vibration occurs during microwave irradiation, but in drum-type dryer 60 of the present embodiment, drum 3 rotates and vibrates during drying to improve drying efficiency. Therefore, the shielding part of drum-type dryer 60 of the present embodiment has a structure that can suppress microwave leakage from the gap with the fixed part, even when microwaves are irradiated while drum 3 is rotating.

[0028] 1A and 1B, the components constituting the shield section are indicated by thick solid lines. In drum dryer 60 of embodiment 1, the shield section includes door 5, communicating section 26, drum 3, first choke section 25, which is an example of a gap shield section provided in the gap between communicating section 26 and drum 3, and second choke section 27, which is an example of a gap shield section provided in the gap between door 5 and communicating section 26.

[0029] The door 5, the communication section 26, and the drum 3 include a conductive material such as a metal capable of reflecting or absorbing microwaves. For example, the door 5, the communication section 26, or the drum 3 may be entirely formed of an electromagnetic wave shielding material such as a conductive material. The door 5, the communication section 26, or the drum 3 may be formed of a material such as resin, with a plating layer of a conductive material provided on the inner or outer surface. The door 5, the communication section 26, or the drum 3 may be formed of a material such as resin, with a layer of an electromagnetic wave shielding material provided on the inner or outer surface, or inside. The drum 3 may be formed with holes that allow water vapor and air to pass through, but in this case, these holes are formed to be large enough to prevent microwave leakage.

[0030] First choke portion 25 and second choke portion 27 may have any choke structure known in the technical field of microwave ovens and the like. For example, first choke portion 25 or second choke portion 27 may be composed of multiple chokes. Multiple chokes can suppress microwave leakage in multiple stages, improving leakage prevention performance. Furthermore, multiple chokes may have different dimensions or shapes for each choke, and may be composed of, for example, stepped chokes.

[0031] The first choke portion 25 may be provided in the communication portion 26 or in the drum front portion 3a. The second choke portion 27 may be provided in the door body 5 or in the communication portion 26.

[0032] In the case of drum-type dryer 60, the amount and weight of the material to be dried vary, and the weight changes between the beginning and end of the drying operation. Furthermore, as drum 3 rotates and vibrates during the drying operation, the size of the gap between communicating portion 26, which constitutes first choke portion 25, and drum front portion 3a may change. Also, due to the structure, dimensional variations during manufacturing are unavoidable. Furthermore, the microwave frequency may change depending on the operating conditions. The dimensions or shape of the stepped choke may be changed to take into account dimensional changes during operation and manufacturing variations. Furthermore, the possibility that the microwave frequency may change depending on the operating conditions may also be taken into account. Therefore, the stepped choke further improves the ability to prevent microwave leakage. Thus, a multi-stage leakage prevention structure is extremely effective in drum-type dryer 60.

[0033] The choke structure may also be configured by filling at least a portion of the space in the groove that generates the reflected wave with resin, which allows the choke structure to be made thinner and more compact, thereby reducing the size of the gap between communicating portion 26 that constitutes first choke portion 25 and drum front portion 3a, and preventing first choke portion 25 from reducing the volume of drum 3.

[0034] As the gap shielding portion provided around the entire periphery in the gap between the door body 5 and the communicating portion 26, or as the gap shielding portion provided around the entire periphery in the gap between the communicating portion 26 and the drum 3, an absorption-type microwave shield such as a dielectric may be provided instead of a reflection-type microwave shield such as a choke structure. Alternatively, any type of non-contact microwave shield may be provided as the gap shielding portion.

[0035] [1-2. Operation] The operation and function of the drum dryer 60 configured as above will be described below.

[0036] When a user opens the door 5, places the material to be dried in the drum 3, and issues a command to start drying, the control device 20 starts the drying operation. The control device 20 drives the drive motor 6 to rotate the drum 3. An air circulation device (not shown) may also be operated. The control device 20 controls the microwave irradiator 30 to generate microwaves. The microwaves are irradiated into the drum 3 via the waveguide 34 and the microwave irradiation port 32. This heats and evaporates the moisture contained in the material to be dried in the drum 3. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control device 20 stops driving the drive motor 6 and irradiating microwaves from the microwave irradiator 30, thereby ending the drying operation. The control device 20 may estimate the amount of moisture contained in the material to be dried and end the drying operation when the amount of moisture falls below a predetermined amount.

[0037] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, drum dryer 60 includes housing 1, drum 3 rotatably provided inside housing 1 and accommodating an object to be dried, and microwave irradiation unit 30 that irradiates microwaves onto the object to be dried inside drum 3, and a shielding unit for suppressing leakage of microwaves from housing 1 includes at least drum 3. This makes it possible to suppress leakage of microwaves to the outside of housing 1 even when microwaves are irradiated into drum 3 while rotating drum 3.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, drum-type dryer 60 includes housing 1, drum 3 rotatably provided inside housing 1 and accommodating an object to be dried, and microwave irradiation unit 30 that irradiates microwaves onto the object to be dried inside drum 3, and the shielding unit for suppressing leakage of microwaves from housing 1 may include at least a gap shielding unit for suppressing leakage of microwaves from a gap between the rotor and the fixed unit. This makes it possible to suppress leakage of microwaves to the outside of housing 1.

[0039] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, drum dryer 60 includes door 5 that opens and closes opening 19 provided in the housing for loading and unloading the material to be dried into and from drum 3, and the shielding section may be configured to include door 5 and a gap shielding section that suppresses microwave leakage from a gap between door 5 and drum 3. This makes it possible to suppress microwave leakage from a gap between drum 3 and door 5 provided opposite drum opening 3c, thereby achieving both ease of loading and unloading the material to be dried (usability) and suppression of microwave leakage.

[0040] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, drum dryer 60 may include a communication part 26 that is provided between opening 19 and drum 3 and fixed to housing 1, and the shield part may include a gap shield part that suppresses leakage of microwaves from the communication part 26, the gap between door body 1 and communication part 26, and the gap between communication part 26 and drum 3. This makes it possible to suppress leakage of microwaves to the outside of housing 1.

[0041] In this embodiment, the gap shield portion may be configured as a single layer, which makes it possible to prevent microwaves from leaking outside the housing 1.

[0042] In addition, in the embodiment, the gap shield portion may include at least one non-contact microwave shield, which can reduce wear, deterioration, damage, etc. caused by the rotation of the drum 3.

[0043] Furthermore, the drum dryer 60 of the first embodiment evaporates moisture contained in the material to be dried using microwaves, thereby improving drying efficiency. Furthermore, the drum dryer 60 of the first embodiment can increase the internal volume of the drum 3, allowing for drying of a large number of materials to be dried, thereby improving user convenience. Furthermore, the drum dryer 60 of the first embodiment does not require a fixed tank or the like to be provided outside the drum 3 for blocking microwaves, thereby reducing the number of parts and lowering manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the drum dryer 60 of the first embodiment uses the drum 3, which is typically made of metal in conventional products, as a shielding part, and the housing 1 can be made of an inexpensive material such as resin, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0044] (Embodiment 2) The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0045] Fig. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to embodiment 2. Drum dryer 60 according to embodiment 2 includes a second gap shield part 28 in addition to the configuration of drum dryer 60 according to embodiment 1 shown in Figs. 1A and 1B. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of embodiment 1. Differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0046] The second gap shield portion 28 is provided in the gap between the communicating portion 26 and the drum front portion 3a in addition to the first choke portion 25, which is the first gap shield portion. The second gap shield portion 28 may be a reflective microwave shield or an absorptive microwave shield. By providing multiple stages of microwave shields in the gap between the communicating portion 26 and the drum front portion 3a, microwave leakage can be further suppressed.

[0047] When an absorption-type microwave shield is provided as second gap shield part 28, second gap shield part 28 is preferably provided on the outside of first choke part 25. This makes it possible to prevent second gap shield part 28 from being damaged or deteriorated due to heating by microwaves.

[0048] Three or more gap shield portions may be provided in the gap between the communication portion 26 and the drum front portion 3a. In this case, too, it is preferable that the innermost gap shield portion be a reflective microwave shield. This makes it possible to prevent the microwave shield from being damaged or deteriorated due to heating by microwaves, even when an absorption microwave shield is provided as a gap shield portion outside the second tier. The gap shield portions outside the second tier may be either a reflective microwave shield or an absorption microwave shield.

[0049] As described above, in this embodiment, the gap shield portion is configured in multiple stages, which makes it possible to further suppress leakage of microwaves.

[0050] (Embodiment 3) Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0051] Fig. 3 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to embodiment 3. Drum dryer 60 according to embodiment 3 includes a sealing unit 29 in addition to the configuration of drum dryer 60 according to embodiment 1 shown in Figs. 1A and 1B. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of embodiment 1. Differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0052] The seal portion 29 is provided in the gap between the communication portion 26 and the drum front portion 3a, and seals the gap between the communication portion 26 and the drum front portion 3a. This makes it possible to prevent the drying air inside the drum 3 from circulating with the outside. The seal portion 29 does not have to completely seal the gap between the communication portion 26 and the drum front portion 3a. The seal portion 29 may have a sliding contact type configuration. The seal portion 29 may be made of any of felt, resin, rubber, etc.

[0053] It is preferable that seal portion 29 is provided on the outside of first choke portion 25. This can prevent seal portion 29 from being damaged or deteriorated due to heating by microwaves.

[0054] The sealing portion 29 may also serve as the second gap shield portion 28 described in the second embodiment. In this case, the sealing portion 29 may be made of a dielectric material that absorbs microwaves. This reduces the number of parts in the drum dryer 60, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0055] As described above, in the present embodiment, drum dryer 60 includes seal portion 29 that seals the gap between communication portion 26 and drum 3, and the gap shield portion between communication portion 26 and drum 3 is provided inside seal portion 29. This makes it possible to prevent seal portion 29 from being damaged or deteriorated due to heating by microwaves.

[0056] In the present embodiment, one stage of the gap shield portion may also function as the sealing portion, or at least one of the multiple stages of the gap shield portion may also function as the sealing portion, thereby reducing the number of parts of the drum dryer 60 and lowering manufacturing costs.

[0057] (Fourth embodiment) Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0058] Fig. 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to embodiment 4. Drum dryer 60 according to embodiment 4 includes a ball bearing 35 instead of first choke portion 25 of drum dryer 60 according to embodiment 1 shown in Figs. 1A and 1B. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of embodiment 1. Differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0059] The ball bearing 35 is provided as a gap shield in the gap between the communication portion 26 and the drum front portion 3a. The ball bearing 35 is configured to slidably bring the communication portion 26 and the drum front portion 3a into close contact with each other and support the drum front portion 3a, which facilitates stable rotation of the drum 3. The ball bearing 35 is made of a conductive material. This makes it possible to suppress microwave leakage from the gap between the communication portion 26 and the drum front portion 3a.

[0060] Any type of contact-type microwave shield may be provided as a gap shield portion in the gap between the communication portion 26 and the drum front portion 3a. For example, the gap shield portion may be a point-contact microwave shield such as a ball bearing, or a line-contact microwave shield such as a rolling bearing. In this case, the contact distance may be configured to be equal to or less than half the wavelength of the microwaves to be shielded. This can further suppress microwave leakage. Alternatively, the gap shield portion may be a surface-contact microwave shield such as a sliding bearing. In this case, a flexible microwave shield may be provided as the gap shield portion. This can suppress microwave leakage even if the gap dimensions change during rotation of the drum 3. A conductive lubricant may be used as the lubricating oil for the bearing. This can further suppress microwave leakage.

[0061] By configuring the gap shielding portion with a contact-type microwave shield, microwave leakage can be suppressed even if there is a dimensional tolerance in the gap during assembly or if there is a dimensional change in the gap while the drum 3 is rotating, thereby improving the reliability of the microwave leakage suppression performance of the gap shielding portion. Furthermore, because the gap shielding portion can also serve as the seal portion 29, the number of parts of the drum dryer 60 can be reduced, thereby lowering manufacturing costs.

[0062] The gap shield portion may be a reflective microwave shield made of a conductor, or an absorptive microwave shield made of a dielectric.

[0063] As explained in the second embodiment, the gap shield portion may include a multi-stage microwave shield. In this case, the gap shield portion may include only a contact-type microwave shield, only a non-contact-type microwave shield, or both a contact-type microwave shield and a non-contact-type microwave shield. Furthermore, each microwave shield may be a reflective microwave shield or an absorptive microwave shield.

[0064] As described above, in this embodiment, the gap shield portion includes at least one contact-type microwave shield, which can further suppress microwave leakage.

[0065] (Embodiment 5) Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to the fifth embodiment. In the drum dryer 60 of the fifth embodiment, the communication section 26 is omitted from the configuration of the drum dryer 60 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. As a result, the door body 5 functions as a fixed section with respect to the drum 3, which is a rotating body. In addition, a microwave irradiation section 30 is provided on the rotation shaft of the drum 3 or on the door body 5 in front of the drum opening 3c. The microwave irradiation section 30 irradiates microwaves from the microwave irradiation port 32 into the drum 3 to heat the moisture contained in the material to be dried inside the drum 3. The other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment. The following mainly describes the differences from the first embodiment.

[0067] A gap shielding portion is provided in the gap between the door body 5 and the drum front portion 3a to prevent microwave leakage from the gap. The gap shielding portion may be provided on the door body 5 or on the drum front portion 3a. The gap shielding portion may be a reflective microwave shield such as the first choke portion 25 or the second choke portion 27, or an absorptive microwave shield. The gap shielding portion may be a non-contact microwave shield such as the first choke portion 25 or the second choke portion 27, or a contact microwave shield such as the ball bearing 35. The gap shielding portion may be composed of a single-stage microwave shield or a multi-stage microwave shield. A seal portion 29 may be provided in the gap between the door body 5 and the drum front portion 3a. The seal portion 29 may also serve as the gap shielding portion.

[0068] In the drum dryer 60 of the fifth embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of the drum 3 can be increased by the amount of the omitted communication portion 26, thereby increasing the internal volume.

[0069] (Embodiment 6) Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to embodiment 6. Drum dryer 60 of embodiment 6 differs from drum dryer 60 of embodiment 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B in that first choke portion 25 is provided between communicating portion 26 and the side surface of drum 3. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of embodiment 1. Differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0071] The drum 3 side of the communication portion 26 is configured to cover the drum front portion 3a. A gap shield portion is provided in the gap between the drum 3 side of the communication portion 26 and the side surface of the drum 3 to prevent microwave leakage from the gap. The gap shield portion may be provided in the communication portion 26 or on the side surface of the drum 3. The gap shield portion may be a reflective microwave shield such as the first choke portion 25, or an absorptive microwave shield. The gap shield portion may be a non-contact microwave shield such as the first choke portion 25, or a contact microwave shield such as the ball bearing 35. The gap shield portion may be composed of a single-stage microwave shield or a multi-stage microwave shield. A seal portion 29 may be provided in the gap between the communication portion 26 and the side surface of the drum 3. The seal portion 29 may also serve as the gap shield portion.

[0072] In the drum dryer 60 of the sixth embodiment, the inner volume can be increased by expanding the depth dimension of the drum 3 by the amount of the gap shield moved to the side. Also, since the front part 3a of the drum can be formed of resin or the like, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0073] (Embodiment 7) Hereinafter, the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0074] FIG. 7 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum dryer according to embodiment 7. In addition to the configuration of drum dryer 60 according to embodiment 5 shown in FIG. 5, drum dryer 60 according to embodiment 7 includes a drum door body 36. Drum door body 36 includes a second choke portion 27, which is an example of a gap shield portion provided around the entire periphery in the gap between drum door body 36 and drum 3. The other configuration is the same as embodiment 1 or embodiment 5. Differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0075] In the drum dryer 60 of the seventh embodiment, the drum door 36 is fixed to the drum 3 and is configured to rotate together with the rotation of the drum 3. A door 5 is provided at the opening 19 of the housing 1. The door 5 may or may not form a shielding portion. In the former case, the amount of microwave exposure to the user can be further reduced. In the latter case, the door 5 can be formed from a resin or the like, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the drum dryer 60.

[0076] In the drum dryer 60 of the seventh embodiment, there is no need to shield the gap between the rotating body and the fixed part, and it is sufficient to provide the second choke part 27 on the drum door body 36. This simplifies the configuration of the gap shielding part and makes it possible to suppress leakage of microwaves to the outside of the housing 1.

[0077] As described above, in the present embodiment, the drum dryer 60 includes the door 5 that opens and closes the opening 19 provided in the housing 1 and the drum door 36 that opens and closes the drum opening 3c provided in the drum 3, and the shielding section includes the drum 3 and the drum door 36. This makes it possible to suppress leakage of microwaves to the outside of the housing 1.

[0078] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiments 1 to 7 have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in Embodiments 1 to 7 above to create new embodiments.

[0079] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0080] In the first to seventh embodiments, a drum-type dryer 60 has been described as an example of a dryer. The dryer may be a dryer other than a drum-type dryer or a washer-dryer. For example, the present invention may be applied to a vertical washer-dryer. Objects to be dried may be other than clothes.

[0081] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0082] The present disclosure is applicable to dryers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 chassis 3 Drums 3a Front of drum 3b Rear of drum 3c Drum opening 5 Door body 6 Drive motor 14 Rotation axis 15 Belt 19 Opening 20 Control device 25 First Choke Section 26 Communication part 27 Second Choke Section 28 Second gap shield part 29 Seal part 30 Microwave irradiation unit 32 Microwave irradiation port 34 Waveguide 35 ball bearings 36 Drum door body 60 Drum dryer

Claims

1. The housing and a drum rotatably provided inside the housing and configured to accommodate an object to be dried; a microwave irradiation unit that irradiates microwaves onto the object to be dried in the drum; a door that opens and closes an opening provided in the housing to allow the object to be dried to be put into and taken out of the drum; a communication portion provided between the opening and the drum and fixed to the housing; a seal portion that seals a gap between the communication portion and the drum; Equipped with The shielding portion for suppressing leakage of the microwave from the housing includes at least the drum, the door body, the communicating portion, a gap between the door body and the communicating portion, and a gap shielding portion for suppressing leakage of the microwave from a gap between the communicating portion and the drum, The gap shield portion between the communication portion and the drum is provided inside the seal portion. dryer.

2. The housing and a drum rotatably provided inside the housing and configured to accommodate an object to be dried; a microwave irradiation unit that irradiates microwaves onto the object to be dried in the drum; a door that opens and closes an opening provided in the housing to allow the object to be dried to be put into and taken out of the drum; a seal portion that seals the gap between the door body and the drum; Equipped with The shielding portion for suppressing leakage of the microwave from the housing includes at least a gap shielding portion for suppressing leakage of the microwave from a gap between the drum, which is a rotating body, and the door, which is a fixed part; The gap shield portion between the door body and the drum is provided inside the seal portion, The sealing portion is a sliding contact type, and is made of felt, resin, or rubber, and is not provided inside the gap shield portion. dryer.

3. The housing and a drum rotatably provided inside the housing and configured to accommodate an object to be dried; a microwave irradiation unit that irradiates microwaves onto the object to be dried in the drum; a door that opens and closes an opening provided in the housing to allow the object to be dried to be put into and taken out of the drum; a communication portion provided between the opening and the drum and fixed to the housing; a seal portion that seals a gap between the communication portion and the drum to prevent the drying air in the drum from circulating with the outside; Equipped with The shielding portion for suppressing leakage of the microwave from the housing includes at least the drum, the door body, the communicating portion, a gap between the door body and the communicating portion, and a gap shielding portion for suppressing leakage of the microwave from a gap between the communicating portion and the drum, The seal portion also serves as the gap shield portion between the communication portion and the drum. dryer.

4. The gap shield portion is composed of one stage. The dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The gap shield portion is composed of multiple stages. The dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. At least one of the gap shield sections in the plurality of stages also serves as the seal section. The dryer according to claim 5.

7. The gap shield portion includes at least one non-contact microwave shield. The dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The gap shield portion includes at least one contact-type microwave shield. The dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. The housing and a drum rotatably provided inside the housing and configured to accommodate an object to be dried; a microwave irradiation unit that irradiates microwaves onto the object to be dried in the drum; a door that opens and closes an opening provided in the housing; a drum door body that opens and closes a drum opening provided in the drum; Equipped with A shielding section for suppressing leakage of the microwave from the housing includes at least the drum and the drum door. dryer.

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